1890s Transitional

Circa 1890s Handwoven Navajo Transitional Weaving with Hand-Carded and Spun Wool in a Banded Diamond Design using Aniline Red Dye and Natural Undyed Wool Colors. Navajo weavings were originally made as blankets, but during the late 1800s, the arrival of inexpensive machine-woven blankets reduced demand for hand-woven ones. As traders introduced these pieces to tourists for use as rugs and wall hangings, weaving shifted in purpose. The “transitional period” was a time when Navajo weavers were transitioning from weaving blankets to rugs. This weaving is a prime example of these soft textiles with bright aniline dyes and no defined borders that bridged the blanket and rug periods.

54” (4.5') Width, 87” (7.25') Length