Woman’s Wearing Blanket

ClassificationsTextiles-blankets

Culture Navajo

Datec. 1890

Made AtUnited States

MediumWool and dye

Dimensions51 × 57 in. (129.5 × 144.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mr. Dennis J. Aigner

Object number2015.5.5

DescriptionRugs from the late 19th century were designed for trading purposes and as such lost much of the early design and craftsmanship present in Navajo blankets from previous times. This is underscored by the fact that two-thirds of the blankets the Navajo wove in the 1890s were produced for nontribal use. Because demand for these rugs increased, traders encouraged the weavers to employ different stylistic elements like the border which was used to frame the central designs. The bright colors that were so often used to weave blankets were reduced significantly and replaced with more of wool’s natural tones. Although the exact time period is unclear, it was at some point during this period that the weavings of the Navajo began to be used as and referred to as rugs and not blankets. This was reflected in weavings being produced in a wide variety of sizes and heavier weights.

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