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About Native American Arts & Crafts
- Definition of Terms
- Aniline Dye
- Commercially produced dye often used to dye both commercial yarns and handspun wool.
- Bayeta
- Commercially produced wool cloth which was often raveled and incorporated into Navaho weavings.
- Blanket Dress - Long Walk Dress
- Two rectangular weavings joined at the top and sides for wearing.
- Chief Blanket
- More appropriately called a wearing blanket very similar to the Pueblo mantas.
- Churro Sheep
- The type of sheep originally introduced by Spanish settlers in the southwest. The wool of the Churro is long staple and is ideally suited for Navaho weavings.
- Classic Period
- This is the period of Navaho weaving from 1800-1865 characterized by the Chief blanket and sarape patterns. Colors were usually red, white, brown, and blue and featured stripes.
- Classic revivals
- Type of weaving whose date of origin is later than the Classic Period but which mimics the style of the Classic Period.
- Cochineal dye
- A red dye derived from the powdered remains of the cochineal insect.
- Eyedazzler
- Rug developed in the Transitional Period which was influenced by the serrated diamond style found in Rio Grande and Saltillo weavings. This pattern incorporates the use of brightly colored synthetic dyes and yarns.
- Germantown
- Used to describe commercial multi-ply, synthetically dyed wool yarns made in the mid 1800's. Also can be used to describe rugs made of this wool.
- Indigo
- Plant dye use for the color blue by Navaho weavers.
- Manta
- A woman's shawl woven by the Pueblo and then Navaho weavers. The manta is woven wider than it is long.
- Natural dyes
- Any dying process that uses either natural elements, vegetation or animal dyes found within the weavers natural environment. ( ie. non synthetic dyes)
- Pound rugs
- Rugs made in the Rug Period which have a tendency to be thick and have simple design elements. Traders purchased these rugs by the pound.
- Rio Grande weavings
- Blanket which were woven by Spanish weavers in their colonies along the Rio Grande in modern day New Mexico.
- Saltillo sarape
- A type of sarape woven in Mexico during the 1800's which influenced Navaho weaving.
- Transitional Period
- The period from 1875 - 1890 when Navaho weaving transitioned from blankets to rugs.
- Vegetal Dyes
- Dyes mad from any plant source.
- Warp
- The verticle cords on a Navaho loom which serve as the foundation for the rug. Preferrably warp should be made out of wool, which will lend strength and durability to the weaving.
- Weft
- The horizontal threads of a Navaho weaving. The weft and its' colors are what give the Navaho rug its' patterning and color. In most weaving the weft passes under and over alternating strands of warp.
- More:
- Textiles-Home
- The Beginning
- Different Periods of Navaho Weaving
- Regional Designs
- Definitions