Red woven cloth with red-centered, geometric cross-shaped patterns throughout and red tassels in the corners. The navy blue and cream bordered crosses alternate between cream and navy blue.
Side view photo of a red, patterned blanket wrapped around a mannequin against a white background. Smaller cross-shaped patterns line the mannequin’s sides with larger crosses in the center.
Photo of a large, red woven blanket, with geometric cross-shaped patterns, wrapped around a headless mannequin. The blanket’s red tassels hang when the blanket is worn as a garment.
Photo of a red, patterned, woven blanket, with navy blue and cream bordered cross patterns lining the back of a mannequin. Zigzags and a three dot pattern surround the crosses.
Closeup of the center of a red woven cloth, showing a navy blue and cream bordered cross design in between two navy blue and cream zig zag patterns.
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Unknown Maker, Diné (Navajo)

Beeldléí | Wearing Blanket

Maker

Unknown Maker, Diné (Navajo)

Culture

Diné (Navajo), Native North American

Title

Beeldléí | Wearing Blanket
Women’s wearing blanket

Year

ca. 1870 - ca. 1880

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

wool

Dimensions

154.9 x 121.9 cm (61 x 48 inches)

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Frances Carpenter

Object Number

08.126

Type

Exhibition History

Diné Textiles
Nizhónígo Hadadít’eh, They are Beautifully Dressed
Sep 02, 2023 – Sep 29, 2024

Label copy

This blanket was well loved and worn frequently. We know this because of the staining at the hem and the back of the neck. It is soft to the touch yet durable, suitable for outerwear or utilitarian use. In addition to being used as garments, wearing blankets can be utilized as mats, rugs, tarps, or bedding.

Weaving a wearing blanket requires a tremendous amount of skill, time, and resources. Highly valued and sought-after, blankets were mended when tattered and used until they fell apart completely. This philosophy is akin to today’s slow-fashion movement.

Blankets and Baskets
Weavings from the American West
Jul 02, 2004 – Oct 10, 2004

Label copy

Soiling at the back of the neck and at the hem of this blanket shows that it was a well-loved item of clothing worn often by its owner. These wear patterns demonstrate how it was draped on the body: wrapped around the shoulder with the pattern of crosses down the back and at the front.

Gift of Mrs. Frances Carpenter 08.126

A World of Costume and Textiles
"Tapestries through the Ages"
Sep 22, 1989 – Nov 12, 1989
Raid the Icebox 1 with Andy Warhol
Apr 23, 1970 – Jun 30, 1970

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Diné (Navajo)
Beeldléí | Wearing Blanket; Women’s wearing blanket, ca. 1870 - ca. 1880
Wool; tapestry weave
154.9 x 121.9 cm (61 x 48 inches)
Gift of Mrs. Frances Carpenter 08.126

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