Zuni Pueblo 19th-century Wool Banded Blanket [SOLD]

It has been well determined that the Pueblo Indians were weaving long before the arrival of the Spaniards in 1540 and that they preceded the Navajo in weaving. At first, Pueblo weavers were growing and using cotton but accepted wool from the Spaniard's sheep after their arrival, although they never gave up weaving with cotton. Unlike Navajo custom, pueblo weavers are men.

Pueblo blankets were made to use as ordinary wearing blankets and for use as bed covers. Generally, they are longer than wide and are loosely woven with coarsely spun yarns and patterned with broad bands of colored stripes. This mention of loosely woven with coarsely spun yarns is not to be taken as detrimental. The loose weave with thick yarns provides for entrapment of air for warmth.

Pueblo blankets are often thought of as wearing blankets for men only.  However, there are documented photographs showing women wearing them as well as using them as totes for children or material goods.

Banded blankets were made by Navajo and Hispanic weavers as well as Pueblo individuals, and sometimes it is difficult to determine which group made any particular blanket. Many pueblo blankets have been woven with brown wool warps. This blanket is a loosely woven plain, weft-faced weave with a few lazy lines. It is constructed on wool warp with natural white and dyed Churro wool weft. The blanket dates to the 1880-1900 period.

Condition: The blanket is generally in good condition. There are some broken warp lines and some soiling of the surface.  It appears that the blanket has been used extensively.

Provenance: from a gentleman in Albuquerque

Reference: Southwest Textiles: Weavings of the Navajo and Pueblo, by Kathleen Whitaker. University of Washington Press, Seattle and London, in association with Southwest Museum. Los Angeles. 2002 Southwest Museum. This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery.