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About Native American Arts & Crafts
- Periods
- Historians and scholars have divided Navaho weaving into 3 main early phases. The dates are estimates and should be viewed as guidelines only with the weaving of any particular period overlapping into the periods preceding and following it.
- Classical Period (1650's -1870's)
- This is the period of time immediately after discovery of weaving techniques. Most of the articles being woven at this time would have been utilitarian such as clothing, leggings, belts and and items which would have been woven for trade.
- One of the most important items woven during this time period would have been the " Chief " blanket. While the Navahos never had tribal chiefs it can be assumed that the blanket was named this because of the cost of acquiring one during this time. Through the course of the 1800's the Chief blanket evolved into 3 or perhaps 4 distinct styles. These distinct styles have been called Phase 1- Phase 4 depending upon specific design elements.
- Transitional Period (1870's-1890's)
- This period was named as it was because much of the items woven at this time didn't seem to be either a rug or a blanket. It is believed that as the market changed from trading within the tribes to trading at the trading post the weaving also began to change.
- When the Navahos returned from Bosque Redondo they had already became accustomed to manufactured clothing and new materials for weaving. With most of the sheep herds having been destroyed or lost during their absence they began to use commercially prepared materials to weave with. These materials were provided through trade with local trading posts.
- American culture made its imprint on weaving style with the introduction of Germantown commercial yarns, which were 3 to 4 ply yarns available in a multitude of bright colors and with the introduction of design elements more appealing to the eastern customer. These innovations eventually were responsible for two new types of weaving called the Germantown or Eyedazzler and the Pictorial.
- Rug Period: (1890's - 1920's)
- By this period of time Navaho weavers were firmly reliant upon the trading posts and their connections to east coast buyers. Many new and different designs were devised primarily by the owners of the trading posts.
- With the influence of eastern markets and trading posts the new weavings of this period tended to have patterns within borders. Some of the design motif were actually copies of those found in Oriental and Persian rugs of that time. The impetus also was to weave rugs of a heavier nature so that they could withstand the foot traffic in the homes of their customers. The story has been told of buyers actually buying rugs by the pound which led to some of the rugs of this period becoming known as " Pound Rugs". If this is truly the case it would explain the lack of quality that can be seen in many of the weavings of this period. A 'by the pound policy' wouldn't have gone far in promoting quality weaving.
- Modern Period (1920's - Present)
- This period of time resulted in the development of regional styles and more importantly the eventual rebirth of traditional designs and quality.In the early part of this century traders like Lorenzo Hubbel of Ganado and J.B. Moore of Crystal Trading Post stand out amongst a list of many who were instrumental in perhaps promoting and saving Navaho weaving.
- During this period of time we have seen the development of regional rugs such as the Ganado, Two Grey Hill, Crystal and etc. Certain patterns and colors of rugs became know by the area in which they were typically woven.
- In the last 15 years we have also seen the development of an entirely new style called the Newlands rug. R. Bruce Burnham, a modern day Hubbel, was the first to promote the weaving and sale of this rug. So in spite of the ever present social and economic pressures Navaho weaving seems to have secured its' place in both the present and near future.
- More:
- Textiles-Home
- The Beginning
- Different Periods of Navaho Weaving
- Regional Designs
- Definitions