POTTER Y OF MEXICO                 597
residences whose interiors and exteriors were often lit-
erally covered with mosaic patterns in glazed tiles, many
of which are yet standing, with their original tilework still
in place. Through the country surrounding Puebla, at
the foot of the snow-capped volcano, Popocatepetl, are
scores of ancient churches, whose tile-covered domes and
towers may be seen from a long distance glistening in
the sun. It is to these early structures that we must
look for evidences of the antiquity of the tile industry in
Mexico.
The Church of Santo Domingo in Puebla contains some
of the most beautiful examples of tilework in Mexico. Over
the inside of the gateway leading from the street to the
courtyard is a tile panel with figure of St. Michael (San
Miguel) inscribed " QUIS UT DEOS." In the chapel of
the Rosary belonging to this church is a dado of blue and
white tilework about four feet in height, showing Moorish
influence, bordered at the top by a band of modelled tiles
with cherubs' heads in bold relief and beautiful coloring,
alternating with the arms of St. Dominic (Santo Domingo),
in black and white (Ill. 331). Adjoining at the right are
sections of relief tile designs in Moresque style, some-
what similar to some of the tilework in the Alhambra.
The Chapel of the Rosary was so elaborately decorated
with tilework, gilded carvings, and paintings that it was
called the eighth wonder of the world. A work published
in Puebla in 1690, entitled Sermon de la Dedicacion de la
Catilla del Rosario, Sit A utor Dr. Diego Victoria Salazar,
proves beyond question that this chapel was finished in
that year.