Diné (Navajo) Native North American

The style of Navajo blanket known as the "chief's" blanket went through three distinct phases of design. The first phase blankets are made with contrasting stripes of white and brown/black, with blue and/or red stripes. This design is similar to the Pueblo-style manta which influenced the early Navajo weavers. As the Navajo became more adept weavers they began to incorporate their own patterns based on basketry designs. First blocks of color were introduced into the ends and centers of the stripes. As the second phase style developed the blocks got larger and eventually were replaced by stepped triangles, characteristic of the third phase chief blanket.

The first textiles woven by the Navajo were used primarily as wearing, sleeping or saddle blankets. The "Chief's" blanket was worn over the shoulders, with the two ends meeting at the front. The characteristic half triangles at each end to the blanket would then meet at the center front, envelopping the wearing in a symmetrical pattern both front and back.