More about the Navajo (Diné)
The Navajo, or Diné, meaning "The People", are Indigenous to the Southwestern United States and have cultivated one of the most revered textile traditions in North America. Navajo weaving dates back centuries, evolving from utilitarian garments into sophisticated and expressive works of art. Introduced to sheep and wool through early Spanish contact, Navajo women, who have always been the primary weavers, transformed these materials into a powerful form of cultural expression. Weaving is considered a sacred art, passed down from mother to daughter, and each textile embodies the weaver’s creativity, technical mastery, and spiritual connection to tradition. Among the most striking examples are pictorial weavings, which emerged in the late 19th century. These rare and often whimsical pieces depict animals, trains, livestock, plants, and ceremonial imagery, offering a narrative glimpse into Navajo life, history, and imagination. Our collection includes a diverse range of vintage and antique Navajo weavings from the Classic Period, Transitional Period and Trading Post Era. The gallery offers a wide selection of wearing blankets including Classic Period Serapes, Chief’s Blankets and Child’s Blankets, vibrant Germantown Blankets and Eyedazzlers, Saddle Blankets, Trading Post rugs including those from Crystal, Ganado & Two Grey Hills, and exceptional pictorial pieces. These textiles reflect not only the aesthetic brilliance of Navajo design but also the enduring legacy of the women who wove them. Today, the Navajo Nation spans over 27,000 square miles across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, continuing to honor and sustain this extraordinary artistic lineage.
