Navajo Woman’s Chief’s Blanket

JUST IN!

This Navajo weaving is a Woman’s variant of the Chief’s third phase wearing blanket.  I just acquired it late last week. The weaving measures 66″ by 51″.  The wool is all hand spun and includes natural brown and carded grey for the banded backbround pattern.  The colors, a whole array of them, are assumed to all be with synthetic dyes, especially as evident with the fading on one side.

 

Condition

The black light shows little or no restoration.  The blanket is clean with no bad smells. The handle is fairly light and thin, but the piece is fairly rough throughout the body and around the edges.  The selvage cords are in tact, but there are lots of  breaks and loose ends. While the blanket is a bit rough, its condition speaks as well for its quirkiness.  The buildup of blocks as a pattern for the diamond shapes contributes to a high energy feel about the piece.  This blanket has a lot of “Chi”. It’s a wonderful and expressive statement for a late 19th century Navajo weaving. The photo below shows the blanket overlapping itself to give you a sense of the fading.

Price: $4500

Please reach out if you have interest or further questions: jamie@jamescomptongallery.com / 505 699-0323

Comments

  • Anne Vandermolen

    June 28, 2020 at 8:13 pm

    I’ve owned a Navaho woman’s wearing blanket for 30 years. It speaks to me of another time. Plainer than yours, it doesn’t seem to have had repairs although it needs a few. I was told by a questionable source the red dye is natural. I live in Michigan. If I sent you a photo would you comment on it for me?
    Thank you!
    Anne Vandermolen
    annyav@aol.com

  • Jamie Compton

    July 8, 2020 at 4:43 pm

    Hello Ann,

    Sorry to take so long to respond. I don’t get a direct email when someone sends a comment from my web page, and I’ve neglected to look at it for several days now.

    In any case, I would be very happy to look at photos of your blanket. If you could have a picture of it overall, as well as a close up of one of the corners, that would be best. Also, if you could send me the measurements.

    You can send them to me at this email address by replying to this email, or you can text them to my phone at 505 699-0323

    Thanks again for reaching out.
    James Compton

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