Types of Navajo Blankets
Today's Navajo artisans primarily weave rugs, however this was not always so.Prior to the early 1900s the main form of textile crafted by the Navajo were blankets. That is because blankets served several functional needs for the Navajo, but the concept of a floor covering did not. The Navajo only started to weave rugs in response to their demand from the American resale and tourist trade.
What the Navajo women did weave was "blankets". The dimensions, designs and weaving techniques employed in making these blankets were determined by the way in which it was intended to be used. There were four major forms of Navajo blankets. The "serape" which functioned as a garment; the "saddle blanket" which was used in riding; the "Gallup" blanket which was singularly created for tourist trade; and the "chief's blanket", which was a higher quality blanket and functioned as a "dress or ceremonial" garment.
What the Navajo women did weave was "blankets". The dimensions, designs and weaving techniques employed in making these blankets were determined by the way in which it was intended to be used. There were four major forms of Navajo blankets. The "serape" which functioned as a garment; the "saddle blanket" which was used in riding; the "Gallup" blanket which was singularly created for tourist trade; and the "chief's blanket", which was a higher quality blanket and functioned as a "dress or ceremonial" garment.
SERAPES
A serape - or sometimes referred to as a "mantra" - is a colorful garment constructed by the Navajo people. It's primary function is to be worn for warmth. The serape is worn by wrapping it around the shoulders. They were generally longer than they were wide, however when on the loom it is woven horizontally. The Navajo serape did not have a hole in the center for one's head, as was the custom of Mexican ponchos. Some were also used by women as a form of dress or skirt, by wrapping it around themselves and securing it with a woven sash or belt. As new dye colors came on the market in the 1870s and 1880s, late period serapes tended to be more intricate and decidedly more colorful. Although not as common as before 1890, some serapes and mantras continued to be made throughout the 19th century. They are even occasionally produced today - mainly for personal use by the Navajo people, but they are nowhere near as common as Navajo rugs. SADDLE BLANKETS
The purpose of the riding blanket is to protect the back of the horse from rubbing against the saddle or rider. The early explorers that arrived on horseback did so with blankets under the Jineta saddles they used. When the Navajo adopted the horse from these explorers they already had in place a tradition of weaving blankets. The only adjustment necessary to begin weaving "riding blankets" as compared to traditional blankets was to reduce the size. Indeed, at that time the Navajo may have already had suitable smaller blankets. These were known as "Navajo Child's Blankets", woven specifically for children, but easily adapted for riding. There is controversy among scholars as to the distinction, if any, between "child's" and "saddle" blankets, but regardless they are very similar in both size and design. However, it is primarily "size" that separates the "saddle blanket" from other forms of blankets. Contemporary authentic Navajo saddle blankets continue to be woven and marketed today. There are literally thousands of manufacturers producing riding blankets with colors and patterns similar to typical original Navajo designs. The term "navajo saddle blanket" has become generic as a "style" of riding blanket. Special care must be taken to distinguish these from those blankets actually woven by Navajo Indians. GALLUP THROW BLANKETS
During the first decades of the twentieth century, Navajo weavers used their skills to produce textiles that they could trade for necessities needed by their families on the reservation. Therefore, anything that could be quickly made and readily sold commanded attention by both the Navajo and the traders that dealt with them. Soon, weavers near tourist centers and railroad stations were making small, loosely woven, pictorial mats, which are now known as "Gallup throws" or "Gallup blankets". Even though they were too small to be used as rugs and were typically made with cheaper yarns, these inexpensive miniature blankets eventually became the favorite souvenir among visitors to the reservations of the southwest. They remain a staple of the Navajo souvenir trade even today.CHIEF'S BLANKETS
The "Cadillac" of Navajo blankets was the "chief's blanket". The Navajo name for this blanket style was "hanoolchaadi", which refers to the process used to prepare the wool before spinning. The time and detail given to the weaving of a "hanoolchaadi" blanket generally exceeded that given to "serapes" and "saddle blankets". The term "chief's blanket" is somewhat of a misnomer, and refers not to Navajo leaders, but rather to the high quality of these blankets. They were avidly acquired through trade by many other tribes, but since few could afford cost of these beautiful pieces, they were rarely seen on Native American Indians other than Chiefs. Regardless of the origin of their name, Navajo chief's blankets are made to be worn around the shoulders and held in place by hand or a pin. They are conspicuously woven on the loom wider than long. They are the ONLY Navajo textile to be constructed in this manner. Another unique feature of an exceptionally fine chief's blankets was that the design was expected to join up when properly worn. Museums and serious collectors are especially fond of authentic Navajo chief's blankets, and when available, high quality examples can command many thousands of dollars.
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