Navajo Germantown blanket
Woven out of 4-ply synthetic-dyed commercial wools from the mills in and around Germantown, Pennsylvania.
circa 1880-1890s
Eyedazzler, asymmetric design.
Excellent condition, with minor wool loss in fringe.
$4800.
(R0414)
Navajo Germantown blankets were woven in eyedazzler designs, as a result of vivid colors being made available to the better weavers with the importation of Germantown wools by the army and traders. The Navajo loved these vivid hues and adapted their designs to show off the effects of the colors. This blanket shows skilled adaptation of the classic Navajo diamond and lightening designs, utilitizing serrated edges rather than traditional stepped designs, to enhance the dazzling design.
These textiles were highly valued and sold through the traders to visitors who came to the Southwest via the railroads. They represent the finest of the Navajo textiles being woven at that time and they are "blanket" fine.
Marcy Burns American Indian Arts, LLC
520 East 72nd Street, Suite 2C
New York, New York 10021
(by appointment only)
