THE NAVAJO WEAVING TRADITION 1650 to the Present [SOLD]

THE NAVAJO WEAVING TRADITION 1650 to the Present

By Alice Kaufman and Christopher Selser

Publisher to: Council Oak Books, Tulsa

Softcover, second edition, 1999, 150 pages, beautifully illustrated

From the Inside Cover

“Navajo blankets and rugs have been avidly sought after and collected for more than two hundred years.  The first collectors were other Indians; during the nineteenth century Navajo blankets were important status symbols, not only among Navajos but also among many native Americans, especially the Plains Indians.  Starting in the 1840s American explorers, followed by American soldiers and government agents and then by American tourists traveling in the Southwest, bought Navajo blankets and sarapes as souvenirs.

“Today, artists collect Navajo blankets and rugs because of their strong visual statement.  To museum curators, Navajo textiles are outstanding examples of both historic and contemporary primitive art.  Art collectors value not only the beauty of these weavings but also their investment potential, which has risen sharply in recent years.  Because of the diversity of the regional styles and the superb technical aspects of the weaving, the best contemporary rugs are collected just as avidly as are fine Classic and Late Classic Period (1800-1875) blankets and colorful Transitional Period (1875-1900) textiles, although often not by the same collectors.  Contemporary Navajo weavings is an inspiring American success story.

“Illustrated with over 200 color plates and halftones, The Navajo Weaving Tradition is a detailed history and appreciation of these wonderful textiles.”

CONTENTS

1.     A Brief Introduction to Navajo Weaving

2.     The First Weavers

3.     The Classic Period

4.     Bosque Redondo and the Aftermath

5.     The Reservation Traders

6.     Contemporary Navajo Weaving

7.     The Weaving Process—Tools, Techniques, and Materials