Navajo blankets, weavings and rugs
specialty rug history - page 1 of 2

Some exceptional weavers challenge themselves to create special weaves, Navajo blankets and Navajo weavings, such as the Sandpainting, Pictorial, Bird, Chief Blanket, and Raised Outline Navajo weavings. These Navajo blankets, rugs and weavings are called specialty rugs. They represent no more than a small percent of the contemporary Navajo blankets and weavings production. Specialty rug styles are woven throughout the reservation, and a variety of techniques and yarns are employed in their construction.

Sandpainting rugs are unique Navajo weavings, taken from traditional Navajo sacred drypainting drawings, and because the design is often on the diagonal, are extremely difficult to weave. These Navajo rugs are usually square in shape, unbordered, and backgrounds are typically tan with brighter, multiple colors composing the detailed designs. Figures and objects in the design are integral to the story, and imitating the drypainting, the Sandpainting illustration can be viewed from any of the four sides. Favorite themes in contemporary Navajo Sandpaintings are the Whirling Log, Shooting Chant, Water Creatures, and Earth Creatures.

Sandpainting larger view

Pictorial Navajo blankets and rugs stem from late nineteenth century attempts by Navajo weavers to record the images they saw in the world around them, and the pictorial weaver often records what she sees. These specialty Navajo weavings usually have a light colored background with a wide variety of colors used in the depiction. Early pictorials contain such expected imagery as cowboys, horses, wagons, mountains, hogans, and pastoral scenes. Today's rugs often include pickup trucks, trains, houses, helicopters and airplanes; illustrations of all the objects you would see driving through the reservation.

Pictorial larger view

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