Navajo Third Phase Variant Chief's blanket,
woven out of handspun natural and synthetic-dyed wools, most probably from the Crystal or Ganado Trading Posts
83 1/2" w x 51" l circa 1895-1915
excellent condition
$7500.
This is an example of a Transitional Navajo Third Phase Variant Chief's blanket. Chief's blankets are the only textiles that the Navajo wove that are wider than they are long. This form was probably derived from Pueblo-woven mantas and were meant to be worn with the center vertical band down the spine.
The designs of Chief's blankets evolved over time. First Phase Chief's blankets are composed primarily of stripes. Second Phase Chief's blankets
add nine squares, three across the top band, three across the middle band, and three across the bottom band. Third Phase Chief's blankets expand the squares into a central diamond and 8 half-diamonds (or triangles) that come together to form diamonds when the blanket is worn. This Variant Third Phase design expands the diamond and half-diamonds so that they touch, rather than remaining within their primary horizontal bands.
With the advent of the railroads in the 1880s, the market expanded for Navajo textiles. Especially encouraged by JB Moore at Crystal Trading Post and Lorenzo Hubbell at Ganado, the Navajo began to make rugs rather than wearing blankets. This textile is finely woven and fits easily into the Transitional time frame. Its design is very dynamic and bold, with the foreground and background pulsating as one looks at it.
Marcy Burns American Indian Arts, LLC
525 East 72nd Street, Suite 26G
New York, New York 10021
(by appointment only)
