Navajo, Southwest
Circa 1890
Germantown wool yarn
Height 46 1/2 in (118.1 cm), Width 32 1/2 in (82.6 cm)
Provenance: Tom Delach, Boston, MA
Until the introduction of railroads and trading posts, all Navajo weaving was done with homespun wool yarn in natural wool colors and local vegetal dyes, with occasional use of indigo and cochineal. Beginning in 1870 to 1875, Navajo weavers gained access to commercially spun and dyed wool yarns produced at the mills in Germantown, Pennsylvania, sent out by train via the newly constructed railroad to trading posts on the reservation. This introduction of commercially dyed yarns in brilliant, saturated colors never before seen by the Navajos caused a dramatic shift in Navajo weaving, producing an explosion of colorful, eye-catching designs that define the Germantown period.
This weaving displays the bold diamond and stepped geometric patterning characteristic of the Germantown period at its height, with the deep red ground and contrasting geometric borders that are among the most sought after compositions in Navajo textile collecting. The commercial yarns of the Germantown period allowed weavers to achieve color combinations and contrasts that were impossible with homespun, and the best weavers used this expanded palette to produce work of exceptional visual power. The Boston provenance through Tom Delach connects this piece to the serious New England collector market for Southwestern textiles.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Navajo, Southwest
Circa 1890
Germantown wool yarn
Height 46 1/2 in (118.1 cm), Width 32 1/2 in (82.6 cm)
Provenance: Tom Delach, Boston, MA
Until the introduction of railroads and trading posts, all Navajo weaving was done with homespun wool yarn in natural wool colors and local vegetal dyes, with occasional use of indigo and cochineal. Beginning in 1870 to 1875, Navajo weavers gained access to commercially spun and dyed wool yarns produced at the mills in Germantown, Pennsylvania, sent out by train via the newly constructed railroad to trading posts on the reservation. This introduction of commercially dyed yarns in brilliant, saturated colors never before seen by the Navajos caused a dramatic shift in Navajo weaving, producing an explosion of colorful, eye-catching designs that define the Germantown period.
This weaving displays the bold diamond and stepped geometric patterning characteristic of the Germantown period at its height, with the deep red ground and contrasting geometric borders that are among the most sought after compositions in Navajo textile collecting. The commercial yarns of the Germantown period allowed weavers to achieve color combinations and contrasts that were impossible with homespun, and the best weavers used this expanded palette to produce work of exceptional visual power. The Boston provenance through Tom Delach connects this piece to the serious New England collector market for Southwestern textiles.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
