PRESENTS
PAINTING WITH WOOL N AVA J O P I C T O R I A L W E AV I N G S
NOVEMBER 4, 2016
TO
JANUARY 4, 2017
PAINTING WITH WOOL
C E L E B R AT I N G T H E G I F T S O F T H E N AVA J O A R T I S T ’ S L O O M
Our goal for this exhibition is to present a comprehensive collection of the most unusual pictorial weavings we have been able to assemble, in the past 45 years (some old friends). This is the Premier offering for many of the collection pieces. Images are inspired by Navajo culture, ceremony and lifestyle, from sacred to whimsical. They truly represent a window into American and Native American life.
The first Navajo pictorial weavings were from the pre-1900 era and were likely inspired from Navajo oral history passed on through generations and petroglyphs within the Navajo Homelands. In the 1880s the railroad came through the reservation. The Navajo were exposed to all manner of new visual stimuli, from locomotives and cars (chitties) to labeling on packaging and trade goods. This new material for the Navajo weavers continued well into the 1940s and 1950’s with tourists, cars, planes, as well as impressions made by the world wars. In a sense, pictorial weavings have become sort of a visual record of Navajo History. Rural Navajos typically live in family units comprised of 6 or more dwellings (hogans) on matriarchal grazing leases, allowing them to help each other with design and execution. For example, there are a number of families in the Many Farms area who are known for their Navajo Lifestyle pictorial weavings; depicting day to day pastoral activities, curing ceremonies, scenic locations or landmarks important to the Navajo Nation.
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Spider Woman instructed the Navajo women how to weave on a loom which Spider Man told them how to make. The crosspoles were made of sky and earth cords, the warp sticks of sun rays, the healds(sic) of rock crystal and sheet lightning. The batten was a sun halo, white shell made the comb. There were four spindles: one a stick of zigzag lightning with a whorl of cannel coal; one a stick of flash lightning with a whorl of turquoise; a third had a stick of sheet lightning with a whorl of abalone; a rain streamer formed the stick of the fourth spindle, and its whorl was white shell. A Story of Navajo Weavers and Chanters, first published by Gladys A.
Spider Woman Pictorial circa 1930
Reichard, 1934
Some of the weavings in the exhibit are of monumental proportions and would have taken years to make. The effort, craftsmanship and talent that goes into a multiyear weaving project is a major accomplishment. We have to take our hats off to the dedication of the weavers and to the beauty of this unique art form. We hope you will enjoy the exhibition as much as we have enjoyed putting it together. The images to us are: impactful, important, ingenious, woven with yarns of thought and soul and earth and sky‌. Images paint the picture of an Indian Chief, emergence figures, a landscape, a ceremonial scene, horses, sheep, cattle, people, gods, yeis, symbolism, commissioned commemoratives, and so much more! Enjoy!
Steve Getzwiller & Cara Gorman by Spider Rock at Canyon de Chelly
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TEEC NOS POS RUG IN A RUG IN A RUG PICTORIAL C H U R RO 3 5 3 CIRCA: 2002
SIZE: 5’10 X10’9” MASTER WEAVER: CINDY NEZ BORN : 1977 CLAN :
“Where Water Meets Together” (mother). “ Tangle Clan” (father). “Comanche Warrior” (Nalii) and “Bitter Water” (Grandparents) Cindy Started Weaving in 1981 when she was 4 years old. She was taught by her sisters and her Mother Grace Nez. Cindy stated, “My mother is the reason I started weaving!” Cindy is one of the most talented and skilled weavers working today. She has had weavings exhibited at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ.
Teec/Pictorial over 2 years on the loom. Made from custom spun and hand dyed Navajo Churro Wool. 9 different rug designs woven within one large Teec Nos Pos and rare use of natural dyed silk highlights. This weaving won the highest honor of Best Of Show, at the 2004 Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial. The first Navajo Churro Collection weaving to win Best of Show. Registry #353 of the Navajo Churro Collection Collection (Private Collection)
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NIGHT SKY YEI BE CHEI PICTORIAL C H U R RO 2 2 7 CIRCA: 2000
SIZE: 4’ X 9’
MASTER WEAVER: BERLINDA NEZ BARBER BORN : JANUARY, 05 1975 CLAN :
I am Where Water Meets Born of Tangle Clan. My Nali is “Comanche Warrior” and my grandparents are “Bitter Water” Berlinda started weaving in the summer of 1990 when she was 14 years old. She was taught by her Mother, Grace Nez. Berlinda is one of the most talented weavers we have ever worked with. Berlinda’s weavings have been exhibited in a number of exhibitions at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ. Yei imagery against a night sky, depicting stars, constellations, and moon with a Teec Nos Pos Border. Over 2 years on the loom. Registry #227 of the Navajo Churro Collection (Premiere offering of our Private Collection)
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TEEC NOS POS – YEI PICTORIAL C H U R RO 2 8 5 CIRCA: 2002
SIZE: 4’ X 8’
Belinda with Churro Lamb
Yei Pictorial within a Teec Nos Pos design. Superb use and gradation of color. On the loom over 2 years. Registry #285 of the Navajo Churro Collection. (Premiere offering of our Private Collection)
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Two Pictorial weavings made by the Nez family for Steve & Gail Getzwiller. Pictured Left to right behind their mother Graze Nez; Berlinda, Linda, Cindy, Marian, Helene, Lena and Cecelia.
COWHIDE PICTORIAL C H U R RO 1 5 2 CIRCA: 1998
SIZE: 5’ X 7’
WOVEN BY EMILY BLAKE Made from custom spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro wool. A whimsical cowhide pictorial with floral elements and historic Texas & Arizona brands handed down through Steve Getzwiller’s family. Registry #152 of the Navajo Churro Collection (Premiere offering of our Private Collection)
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GERMANTOWN STYLE PICTORIAL C H U R RO 1 1 3 0 CIRCA: 2011
SIZE: 4’ X 6’1”
MASTER WEAVER CARA GORMAN Cara has received many awards for her weaving excellence and has had many weavings exhibited at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg. Germantown Style 4 in 1 with pictorial elements including: bows and arrows and hats. 1st place Multi-Pattern Weavings: 2015 Gallup InterTribal Ceremonial. Registry #1130 of the Navajo Churro Collection
CORN STALK YEI PICTORIAL C H U R RO 1 4 7 5 CIRCA: 2016
SIZE: 3’11” X 6’
MASTER WEAVER SELENA YAZZIE. Selena has won many awards 2 of which were Best of Textile at the Gallup All Indian Inter-Tribal Ceremonial. Many of her weavings have been exhibited in a number of exhibitions at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ. Pictorial elements include Cornstalk Yei, Cattle with antique brands and Blue Birds (messengers to the gods). Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial 1st place & Best of Category 2016. Registry #1475 of the Navajo Churro Collection
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STORM PICTORIAL C H U R RO 1 4 8 4 CIRCA: 2016
SIZE: 2’10” X 5’
MASTER WEAVER : IRVIN PHILLIPS Irvin is the only male weaver that is part of the Navajo Churro Collection Project. Irvin has won many awards at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial. Bold and elegant in black, white and grey Storm Pattern with Teepee Border. Made from custom spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro wool. Registry #1484 of the Navajo Churro Collection
GERMANTOWN STYLE PICTORIAL C H U R RO 9 1 0 CIRCA: 2012
SIZE: 2’5” X 5’
MASTER WEAVER : GLORIA HARDY Horse Pictorial inspired by 1880s Antique Germantown Pictorial Saddle Blanket. Image may have been taken from nearby petro glyphs. Made from custom spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro wool. Registry #910 of the Navajo Churro Collection
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TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL C H U R RO 1 4 3 6 CIRCA: 2015
SIZE: 4’ X 6’
MASTER WEAVER CARA GORMAN. Cara has received many awards for her weaving excellence and has had many weavings exhibited at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg.
Tree of Life Pictorial includes Blue Birds (messengers to the gods) based on 1920s weaving. Gallup Inter-Tribal Red Ribbon Winner. Made from custom spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro wool. Registry #1436 of the Navajo Churro Collection
TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL PC1 CIRCA: 1920-1930
SIZE: 3’10” X 6’1”
Tree of Life with very unusual border. A rare image for this time frame. Likely woven in the Teec Nos Pos Area. Includes the image of the Blue Bird (messenger to the gods) All hand carded, hand spun and hand dyed Lincoln Wool.
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BISTIE STYLE PICTORIAL C H U R RO 1 4 6 2 CIRCA: 2015
SIZE: 4’3” X 5’9”
MASTER WEAVER ELSIE BIA. Born: 8-25-1951. Clan: “Big Water Clan” for “Tangle People Clan” Grandpa “Edgewater Clan, Naali “Bitterwater Clan”. Awards: 3 Best of Category; 6- 1st Place; & many more. She was taught weaving at age 14 by her mom & grandmom. Bistie Style with floral elements. Curvilinear designs are extremely difficult to weave. Made from custom spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro wool. Registry #1462 of the Navajo Churro Collection
BISTIE PICTORIAL GHT 2250 CIRCA: 1930
SIZE: 3’4” X 5’
RAREST OF ALL REGIONAL STYLES. BISTIE’S ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR CURVILINEAR DESIGN, LENDING ITSELF TO MANY FLORAL ELEMENTS. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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FOUR SUNS PICTORIAL PC2 CIRCA: 1930S
SIZE: 4’7” X 7’5”
MIX OF VERY POWERFUL CEREMONIAL IMAGERY. FOUR SUNS WITH RAYS GOING TO THE 4 CARDINAL DIRECTIONS. FLANKED BY YEI FIGURES (HOLDING SUNS ARROWS AND PAYER RATTLES) AND 14 SACRED CORN PLANTS. RARE IMAGERY. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
HERO TWIN PICTORIAL PC23 CIRCA: 1930S
SIZE: 4’3” X 7’ 1”
YEI HERO TWINS DEPICTING FLINT, LIGHTENING, AND ARROWS USED TO SLAY THE MONSTERS. LIKELY WOVEN IN THE RED MESA AREA. MOST UNUSUAL. EXTREMELY WELL WOVEN. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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32ND DEGREE MASONIC TAPESTRY PC3 CIRCA: 1900
SIZE: 4’11” X 7’3”
THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SPECIAL ORDER FOR A LODGE OR LODGE MEMBER WHO HAD RECEIVED THE PRESTIGIOUS 32ND DEGREE OF THE MASONS. THE HIGHEST DEGREE POSSIBLE AND WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT. Finely woven with Germantown Yarn from Germantown Pennsylvania
MASONIC TAPESTRY GERMANTOWN YARN PC4 CIRCA: 1895-1990
SIZE: 3’9” X 5’8”
COMMISSIONED FOR A MASON OF THE SCOTTISH RITE. ONLY 2 EXAMPLES ARE KNOWN TO EXIST. ONE IN THE SMITHSONIAN AND THE OTHER AT NIZHONI RANCH GALLERY. Finely woven with Germantown Yarn from Germantown Pennsylvania
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SHRINER PICTORIAL NAVAJO RUG GHT 893 CIRCA: 1920-1930
SIZE: 3’3” X 3’10”
WOVEN IN THE TEEC NOS POS AREA VEGETAL GREEN AND ORANGE. WOVEN FOR THE SHRINERS KNOWN TO VISIT THE GRAND CANYON AREA BY TRAIN. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool. Some vegetal dyes.
SHRINER HAT PICTORIAL GHT 1891 CIRCA: 1920-1930
SIZE: 3’2” X 4’8”
ESPECIALLY WELL WOVEN IN THE TEEC NOS POS AREA. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SPECIAL COMMISSION FOR A SHRINER. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool utilizing some natural dyes.
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MOONLIGHT TRADING POST PICTORIAL PC5
CIRCA: 1920S
SIZE: 2’3” X 5’3”
WOVEN IN THE MONUMENT VALLEY AREA AND REFERRING TO THE OLJATO TRADING POST ESTABLISHED IN 1921. OLJATO MEANS MOONLIGHT WATER IN NAVAJO. LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
INDIAN CHIEF PICTORIAL GHT 2050 CIRCA: 1940S
SIZE: 3’4” X 5’4”
A RARE IMAGE IN NAVAJO WEAVING, WOVEN IN THE MONUMENT VALLEY AREA WHEN JOHN FORD WAS FILMING MANY WESTERN MOVIES. HE OFTEN CAST NAVAJOS TO PLAY THE PART OF PLAINS INDIAN WARRIORS. THIS SIOUX CHIEF IS SPORTING A BUTTON DOWN COLLAR AND SUSPENDERS. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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GERMANTOWN PICTORIAL BLANKET GHT 2037 CIRCA: 1880S
SIZE: 4’1” X 6’6”
EXTREMELY FINELY WOVEN EXAMPLE OF A GERMANTOWN WEAVING REFLECTING BOTH HISPANIC AND NAVAJO INFLUENCE. NOTICE THE VERY MINIATURE FIGURE IN THE CENTER OF THE WEAVING. THIS IS A RARE GEM! Woven with early 4 ply Germantown yarn
ACOMA MANTA PC6
CIRCA: 1880
SIZE: 4’4” X 5’2” EXTREMELY FINE DIAMOND TWILL DESIGN WITH INDIGO. GERMANTOWN FLORAL EMBROIDERED DESIGN WAS ADDED LATER. NOTICE FINISH POINTS INTACT ON THE SIDES. OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL CONDITION. All hand carded, hand spun, and hand dyed native wool. The black wool is over dyed with a natural black, possibly sumac. Germantown embroidered accents.
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TRANSITIONAL WITH NAVAJO MEDICINE BAG DESGIN GHT 2235 CIRCA: 1890-1900
SIZE: 6’2” X 7’8”
NAVAJO MEDICINE MAN’S CEREMONIAL MEDICINE BAG IMAGERY IS EXTREMELY RARE FOR THIS TIME PERIOD. LIKELY WOVEN IN THE HUBBELL / GANADO AREA. VERY EARLY RUG! All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed merino wool.
NAVAJO CEREMONIAL PICTORIAL GHT 2232
CIRCA: 1900
SIZE: 3’2” X 5’6” HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT IMAGERY OF DRAWSTRING MEDICINE POUCHES AND FEATHERS THAT WOULD BE PLACED INSIDE A MEDICINE BAG (CENTER DESIGN). BLUE AND GREEN ARROW SHAFTS ARE GERMANTOWN YARN Hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Native Wool.
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PICTORIAL DEPICTING FLYING EAGLES PC07 CIRCA: 1920-1930
SIZE: 4’1” X 5’9”
PICTORIAL WITH EAGLE DESIGN. ILLUSION OF THE EAGLES FLYING. WOVEN IN THE CHINLE, NAZILNI AREA BASED ON THE VEGETAL DYES UTILIZED IN THE WEAVING. Hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Native Wool.
TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL GHT 1030 CIRCA: 1920
SIZE: 2’7” X 4’
VERY EARLY EXAMPLE OF A TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL. INCLUDING BLUE BIRD, MESSENGERS TO THE GODS. A RARE AND BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE. Hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Native Wool.
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CHURRO SHEEP ABSTRACT GHT 2235 CIRCA: 1930S
SIZE: 3’3” X 3’8”
CHURRO SHEEP IMAGE ACHIEVED BY LAYING IN THE GREY AND WHITE YARNS TO BUILD THE CHURRO SHEEP PORTRAIT. ONE OF A KIND. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Churro wool.
SACRED BLUE CORN PICTORIAL GHT 2140
CIRCA: 1900 - 1910
SIZE: 2’11” X 5’
CORN PLANTS COMPLETE WITH ROOTS EMERGING FROM THE UNDERWORLD AND RAINBOW BARS SYMBOLIZING LIFE GIVING WATER. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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NAVAJO DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET HORSE PICTORIAL GHT 1973 CIRCA: 1940
SIZE: 29” X 60”
HORSE PICTORIAL SADDLE BLANKET USING ALL NATURAL DYES. UNUSUAL PICTORIAL DESIGN, VERY LIFELIKE IMAGE OF THE HORSE.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL JV
CIRCA: 1940
SIZE: 38” X 57”
DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL. OWNED BY TRADER JACK, WHO WAS A WELL KNOWN ‘PICKER’ IN HIS DAY. HE KEPT THE VERY BEST, THIS ONE HUNG OVER HIS COUCH FOR 30 YEARS. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL GHT 2176 CIRCA: 1930S
SIZE: 4’1” X 6’
THE RAVEN IMAGES ARE IMPORTANT TO THE NATIVE AMERICANS. THEY REPRESENT WISDOM AND INTELLIGENCE. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
BIRD PICTORIAL TREE OF LIFE PC 09 CIRCA: 1920S
SIZE: 3’2” X 6’5”
MOST UNUSUAL RED MESA/TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL WITH AN UNUSUAL BIRD BORDER REMINISCENT OF A TREE OF LIFE. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.
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CORNSTALK YEI PICTORIAL PC10 CIRCA: 1920
SIZE: 57”X 142”
A CORNSTALK YEI OF MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS. BROWN IS A VEGETAL DYE COLOR. TEEC NOS POS BORDER. UNUSUAL EXAMPLE OF AN EARLY PICTORIAL RUG AND AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PROJECT FOR A NAVAJO WEAVER IN THIS TIME FRAME. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool. Possibly Churro Wool
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GERMANTOWN YEI BE CHEI PC11
CIRCA: 1890-1900
SIZE: 26” X 46”
THESE 2 VERY COLORFUL GERMANTOWN YEI BE CHEI WEAVINGS ARE CLEARLY WOVEN BY THE SAME WEAVER. STEVE COLLECTED ONE, THEN 15 YEARS LATER THE OTHER ONE
GERMANTOWN YEI BE CHEI PC 12
CIRCA: 1890-1900
SIZE: 24” X 46”
SURFACED. IT ONLY TOOK THEM 100+ YEARS TO FIND EACH OTHER TOGETHER AGAIN. Germantown Yarn from Germantown Pennsylvania
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TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL PC13
CIRCA: 1920-1930
SIZE: 3’4” X 7’10”
TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL WITH MALE AND FEMALE YEI BE CHEI IMAGES WITH MEDICINE POUCHES AND SACRED RATTLES. UNIQUE CARD PLAYING PICTORIAL ELEMENTS: SPADES AND “CLUBS” LIKELY A COMMISSIONED WEAVING. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.
TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL PC14
CIRCA: 1930
SIZE: 5’ X 8’1”
24 CANS IMAGERY. BOTH BOTTLED BEER AND ORANGE CRUSH SODA WERE 1ST AVAILABLE IN CANS DURING THE 1930S. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SPECIAL COMMISSION WEAVING, VERY FINE AND TIGHTLY WOVEN. THIS IS ATTRIBUTED TO A MASTER WEAVER OF THAT TIME MRS SLOCUM CLAH All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.
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TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL RUNNER GHT 2111 CIRCA: 1920S
SIZE: 4’9” X 11’2”
VERY LARGE RUNNER WITH NATURAL WOOL COLOR BACKGROUND. PICTORIAL ELEMENTS INCLUDE SACRED CORN AND BLUE BIRDS: MESSENGERS TO THE GODS. A VERY RARE AND OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE IN LIKE NEW CONDITION. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
HERO TWIN TEEC NOS POS PC 15
CIRCA: 1930
SIZE: 4’9” X 8’ 5”
PICTORIAL DESIGNS EXEMPLIFYING MULTIPLE IMAGES OF THE HERO TWINS ASCENDING FROM THE UNDERWORLD. CLEARLY WOVEN BY A MASTER WEAVER, EXTREMELY WELL WOVEN. EXCELLENT CONDITION All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.
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CRYSTAL PICTORIAL PC16 CIRCA: 1920
SIZE: 3’2” X 6’2”
WATERBUG PICTORIAL WITH ALTERNATING FEATHER DESIGN AND ARROWS. FROM THE JB MOORE ERA. VERY WELL WOVEN. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
J B MOORE PICTORIAL PC17 CIRCA: 1910
SIZE: 4’7” X 7’
NATIVE WOOL FOR THIS WEAVING WAS SENT EAST BY JB MOORE, THEN THE YARN WAS RETURNED, READY FOR USE. ALL NATURAL WOOL COLOR EXCEPT BROWN IS VEGETAL DYED. EXTREMELY RARE AND EARLY. OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE IN MINT CONDITION. JB Moore custom processed native wool.
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DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL GHT 2162 CIRCA: 1920S
SIZE: 2’11” X 4’10”
DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET WITH NATURAL WOOL BACKGROUND AND ANILINE RED HIGHLIGHTS IN PRAYER FEATHER DESIGN ELEMENTS. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
COW HEAD PICTORIAL GHT 1018 CIRCA: 1940S
SIZE: 3’2” X 4’6”
DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL WITH FLOATING COW HEAD DESIGNS. NICE VARIEGATION IN GREY HAND CARDED WOOL DESIGNS.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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GREAT STAR PICTORIAL GHT 2161 CIRCA: 1910-1920
SIZE: 4’8” X 2’ 11”
CONSTELLATIONS REPRESENT IMAGES WITH UNIQUE STORIES AND SPIRITUAL BELIEFS FOR THE NAVAJO. FROM A CHANT WAY DEVOTED TO THE GREAT STAR.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
BISTIE PICTORIAL PC 18 CIRCA: 1920
SIZE: 3’6” X 6’
TOURISTS TRAVELING IN FRED HARVEY TOURING CARS WERE JUST ARRIVING “OUT WEST”. THIS SHADE OF GREEN WAS A FAVORITE IN THE BISTIE AREA ON THE RESERVATION. LOOK CLOSELY AT THE CENTER FOR THE PALE GREEN TOURING CAR! All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.
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NAVAJO SINGLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL PC19
CIRCA: 1920 - 1930
SIZE: 2’3” X 2’10”
NATURAL WOOL COLORS. FEATHER AND ARROW PICTORIAL : FOUR DIRECTION DESIGN.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
SINGLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL WITH ADDITIONAL SUNDAY SADDLE TASSEL. PC20
CIRCA: 1940S
UPON CLOSE INSPECTION OF THE CORNSTALK PICTORIAL ELEMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE TO OBSERVE A DISTINCT LANDSCAPE, THE FOREGROUND WITH MOUNTAIN AND SKY IN THE DISTANCE. THIS IS ACHIEVED WITH THE PLACEMENT OF NATURAL WOOL COLORS. Plate 41 in Treasures of the Navajo Horseman All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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SIZE: 32” X 26”
STORM PATTERN-PICTORIAL SINGLE SADDLE BLANKET GHT 2065
CIRCA: 1920S
SIZE: 2’11” X 4’10”
STORM PATTERN- PICTORIAL SINGLE SADDLE BLANKET WITH COW HEAD CENTER DESIGN. LIKELY WOVEN IN THE CRYSTAL AREA RARE. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
SINGLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL GHT 661
CIRCA: 1920-1930
SIZE: 2’6” X 2’8”
SINGLE BLANKET PICTORIAL WITH MANY BIRDS AND STARS. FOLK ART AT ITS FINEST. MOST LIKELY WOVEN BY A VERY ELDERLY WEAVER. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool with some natural dyed blue mohair highlights.
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SPIDER WOMAN PICTORIAL PC21 CIRCA: 1930
SIZE: 4’1” X 7’ 6”
SPIDER WOMAN IMAGERY. LIKELY TEEC NOS POS AREA. BROWN IS NATURAL DYED WITH MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY ROOT. EXTREMELY RARE AND UNUSUAL IMAGERY. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.
SPIDER WOMAN PICTORIAL PC22 CIRCA: 1930
SIZE: 4’ X 6’4”
POWERFUL IMAGERY OF SPIDER WOMAN/ HERO TWIN. CRYSTAL AREA. VERY PURPOSEFUL SPIRIT LINE. WONDERFUL EXAMPLE.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Native wool.
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DEER PICTORIAL GHT 2253 CIRCA: 1890-1900 SIZE: 3’4” X 5’4” DEER PICTORIAL MADE IN THE CRYSTAL AREA. DEER ARE CONSIDERED SACRED TO THE NAVAJO. DEER SKINS ARE UTILIZED IN EVERY MAJOR CEREMONY. YEI DANCERS WEAR THEM AND THE SACRED MEDICINE POUCHES & BAGS ARE MADE OF DEER SKIN. All hand carded, hand spun, hand dyed Merino Wool.
TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL GHT 728 CIRCA: 1920
SIZE: 40”X 84”
EARLY, EARLY TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL WITH NEGATIVE FIELD. THE MANY PICTORIAL ELEMENTS INCLUDE BIRDS, BUGS, BOWS, ARROWS, FEATHERS, AND SACRED CORN PLANTS. All hand carded, hand Spun, hand dyed native wool. Very tightly woven.
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TWO GREY HILLS PICTORIAL PC24 CIRCA: 1920S
SIZE: 4’5” X 6’
TWO GREY HILLS/STORM PATTERN. BASED ON JB MOORE PLATE XVII THAT INCORPORATES INTENTIONAL LANDSCAPE AND COW HEADS. ALL NATURAL WOOL COLOR EXCEPT ANILINE RED. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed churro wool.
HERO TWIN PICTORIAL PC25 CIRCA: 1920
SIZE: 4’5” X 4’5”
THIS WEAVING REPRESENTS THE THREE LEVELS OF THE STORY OF THE HERO TWINS EMERGING FROM THE UNDERWORLD. INCLUDES SYMBOLS FOR THE 4 DIRECTIONS AND SPENT ARROWS, DEPICTING THE CONFLICT WITH THE MONSTERS. INTENTIONALLY WOVEN TO CREATE LANDSCAPE. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.
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GERMANTOWN TRAIN LOOMER NFS
CIRCA: 1880-1890
SIZE: 18.5”X17”
THIS WEAVING WAS LIKELY COMMISSIONED BY FRED HARVEY FOR THE TOURISTS TRAVELING BY TRAIN. ‘LOOMERS’ ARE PARTIALLY WOVEN AND LEFT ON THE LOOM TO REPRESENT THE WEAVING IN PROCESS. Germantown Yarn from Germantown Pennsylvania
CORN KATCHINA MASK PICTORIAL PC26
CIRCA: 1920-1930S SIZE: 2’1” X 2’2”
WOVEN IN THE KEAMS CANYON AREA. LORENZO HUBBELL JR COMMISSIONED HOPI THEMED PICTORIALS TO BE WOVEN BY THE NAVAJO FOR THE FRED HARVEY TOURS. QUITE RARE. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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J B MOORE PICTORIAL PC27 CIRCA: 1900-1910
SIZE: 2’9” X 5’2”
JB MOORE PICTORIAL DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET. CENTRAL FIGURE IS A NAVAJO WOMAN ALL DRESSED UP, INCLUDING SILVER BUTTONS. PLATE 11 IN TREASURES OF THE NAVAJO HORSEMAN PLATE VARIANT OUT OF THE JB MOORE 1911 CATALOG. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Merino wool.
DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL PC28 CIRCA: 1920
SIZE: 2’10”X 4’3”
NAVAJO WOMAN WITH A MALE FOXTAIL YEI BE CHEI DANCER LIKELY WOVEN IN THE CRYSTAL AREA. PLATE 26 IN TREASURES OF THE NAVAJO HORSEMAN Hand carded, hand spun, and hand dyed native Wool.
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CRYSTAL BIRD PICTORIAL GHT 2134 CIRCA: 1900S
SIZE: 3’8” X 5’ 6”
JB MOORE PLATE XI VARIANT. DIAMOND PATTERN: LIGHTENING FIGURE HAVING PICTORIAL ELEMENTS. EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE! All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
SACRED MOON AND SUN PICTORIAL PC29 CIRCA: 1900S
SIZE: 4’4” X 7’
MOONS WITH RAYS DEPICTING THE 4 CARDINAL DIRECTIONS. ENERGY FLOWS FROM THE MOONS IN THE RAYS . MANY SACRED SYMBOLS INCLUDING LIGHTNING SHAFTS FATHER SUN GAVE TO MONSTER SLAYER TO WARD OFF MONSTERS. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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AIRZONA NAVAJO PICTORIAL PC30 CIRCA: 1980S
SIZE: 20” X 25.5”
SCENIC WONDERS OF ARIZONA ARE WOVEN IN A MAP LIKE FORMAT. THIS IS A FOLK ART MASTERPIECE. UNKNOWN ARTIST All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
WINDOW ROCK PICTORIAL 2037 CIRCA: 1980S
SIZE: 3’ X 4’4”
WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF WOVEN SCENIC ART, THIS IS AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE. UNKNOWN ARTIST All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
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MICKEY MOUSE PICTORIAL 3255 CIRCA: 2016
SIZE: 14” X 20”
WHIMSICAL PICTORIAL FEATURING DISNEY’S FAVORITE MOUSE. WOVEN BY JOANNE BEGAY A WELL KNOWN PICTORIAL WEAVER. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
RAISED OUTLINE PICTORIAL PC31
CIRCA: 2016
SIZE: 21” X 21”
UNKNOWN NAVAJO WEAVER CREATED THIS FLORAL STILL LIFE. LIKELY FROM THE NEWLANDS AREA. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A HARD WEAVING TO EXECUTE AS IT IS BOTH TWO SIDED AND A RAISED OUTLINE PICTORIAL.
COORS PICTORIAL PC32
CIRCA: 1990
SIZE: 20” X 14”
EXAMPLE OF TRANSPORTATION AFFECTING WOVEN NAVAJO PICTORIAL ART. GREAT LANDSCAPE AND SPEEDING COORS SEMI-TRAILER TRUCK WITH COORS SLOGAN “TASTE THE HIGH COUNTRY”. UNKNOWN ARTIST
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TREE OF LIFE 3024 CIRCA: 2015
SIZE: 38” X 52”
TREE OF LIFE DEPICTING THE SACRED CORN PLANT GROWING FROM A NAVAJO WEDDING / MEDICINE BASKET. DEPICTING 70 SACRED BIRDS OF FLIGHT! A VERY SPECIAL AND SACRED WEAVING, PROMISING ALL THINGS GOOD IN LIFE. Woven by Wenora Joe
TREE OF LIFE BIRD PICTORIAL PC34 CIRCA: 1990
SIZE: 22.5” X 30”
WOVEN BY BRENDA CROSBY, AN EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED NAVAJO WEAVER. SHE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS ACHIEVED THIS LEVEL OF REALISM IN THE REPLICATION OF VARIOUS BIRD SPECIES IN A NAVAJO WEAVING. THIS TREE OF LIFE IS PAINTING WITH WOOL IN ITS TRUEST FORM. Woven by Brenda Crosby
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NAVAJO SQUAW DANCE PICTORIAL B13
CIRCA: 1980S
SIZE: 6’ X 6’11”
THIS WEAVING DEPICTS A CURING CEREMONY ON THE NAVAJO RESERVATION HELD DURING THE RAINY SEASON. THE SQUAW DANCE IS ON THE 3RD OR LAST DAY OF THE CEREMONY, BY THIS TIME THE AREA HAS BECOME VERY CROWDED WITH MANY HORSES, WAGONS AND SPECTATORS. All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.
Juanita Tsosie from the Many Farms Area was the preeminent Navajo folk artist -weaver of the 1980s-90s. A number of her weavings are in prominent collections and institutions… one being in the Boulders lobby in Carefree, AZ.
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YEI BE CHEI PICTORIAL PC 33
CIRCA: 1985
SIZE: 3’5” X 5’
YEI BE CHEI WOVEN IN THE CHINLE AREA. STEVE PROVIDED MARIE WITH NEW ZEALAND ROMNEY WOOL WHICH SHE DYED WITH VEGETAL AND MINERAL DYES SHE GATHERED FROM THE RESERVATION.
Marie Shirley is one of the most accomplished weavers Steve has had the privilege to work with during the 1970s-1990s. She has weavings featured in Steve’s book, T he Fine Art of Navajo Weaving, under her maiden name Marie Brown. The Heard Museum did a special exhibit centered around Marie and her ability to weave virtually any regional style in the 1990s, with weavings Steve commissioned from her over a period of several years. Desert Caballeros Western Museum had an entire area devoted to her weaving versatility in the year 2000.
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PRESERVING TRADITION We certainly are blessed to be able to continue to share the beautiful Navajo Textiles that have come into our lives. We enjoy meeting everyone who continues to support the Navajo Weavers with encouragement and patronage. We plan to continue our efforts to educate people across the globe about this timeless art and of the talent of one of the first nations of Americas Indigenous People, the Dine..
Master Weaver Elsie Bia demonstrates the art of Painting with Wool!
We would like to share with you a nonprofit group we support. Last year they helped repair the home for one of the Navajo Code Talkers. We feel they are a worthwhile organization to support, with donations used to collaboratively help the Indigenous Tribes of America..
www.redfeather.org Š copyright 2017 Steve & Gail Getzwiller , Sonoita Arizona
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PAINTING WITH WOOL
NOVEMBER 4, 2016 - JANUARY 4, 2017
ST E V E & G A I L G E T Z W I L L E R SONOITA, ARIZONA 520-455-5020 www.navajorug.com