NAVAJO THIRD PHASE CHIEF'S BLANKET

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/30/2021

Circa 1860s-1870s Navajo Third Phase Chief's blanket. Beautifully constructed with a background of deep chocolate brown and white stripes with alternating chocolate brown and 2 shades of red outlined indigo stripes. The blanket exhibits a purple colored line on one side running the length of the blanket through 3 diamonds which identifies the top of the blanket for wear purposes and is a mix of red and indigo. There are patterned diamonds in the foreground, with a full stepped diamond in the center and 8 half stepped diamonds around the edges. 1 of the red colors is cochineal red, which is rare, as it was no longer used by the Navajo after their sheep were killed by the US Cavalry in the mid-1860s. The center exhibits a rare green cross which has faded due to age but never bled. This example measures approximately 60" x 75". This blanket was once sold by Len Wood's Indian Territory Gallery and comes with previous sale documents. CONDITION: The blanket exhibits slight fading and bleeding. There are stains throughout, some of which appear to be paint. There are no rips or tears. The previous sale document states that there was dye replacement of the lighter American flannel red, a repair primarily along the bottom third, and reweaving of the rug which is primarily along the bottom section. Overall good. JLD

Item Dimensions: 20 x 16 x 8"