Unknown Maker, Diné (Navajo)

Diné weavers create apparel not only for people, but also for horses, including blankets placed between the horse and saddle. Like wearing blankets, saddle blankets were utilitarian in origin. Both categories of textiles became decorative collectibles separated from their original use as the tourism market developed in the late 1800s.

Diné weaving practices frequently emphasize geometric designs, emotional introspection through color, and complex relationships of positive and negative spaces. The symmetrical serrated-diamond design seen here is also found in some of the other wearable textiles in this exhibition. This blanket was likely made as a showpiece and hung in the window of a trading post to entice tourists to enter.