1900 Navajo Fourth Phase Chief Blanket

Circa 1900 Navajo Fourth Phase Chief Blanket. Dating to the same period in which plied Germantown yarns were commonly used, this weaving is instead made from smooth handspun wool of the type J.B. Moore and Lorenzo Hubbell referred to as “improved yarn” - wool that had been machine-carded before being handspun.

The design incorporates Spider Woman Cross elements, a motif associated with Spider Woman, an important figure in Navajo weaving tradition who is credited with teaching the Navajo people the art of weaving. The center of the cross is traditionally understood as representing the center of Spider Woman’s web.

This historic weaving is in good overall condition, with a few areas of minor repair.

74.5” (6' 2.5") Width, 64” (5' 4") Length