Blanket or Rug
Late 19th century
Medium
Wool, dovetailed tapestry weave; twined edges; (remnants of) corner knotted tassel
Dimensions
292.4 × 193.2 cm (115 1/8 × 76 1/8 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
153683
Art Historical Context
This stunning Navajo textile, known as a *Blanket or Rug*, the masterful weaving traditions of the DinéNavajo) people from the late 19th. Crafted from wool using a dovetailed tapestry weave—a technique where wefts interlock precisely at color changes for seamless patterns—this large piece measures an impressive 292.4 × 193.2 cm (115 1/8 × 76 1/8 in.). Its twined edges provide sturdy finishing, while remnants of corner knotted tassels at its original ornamental flair, typical of high-quality Navajo blankets prized for both utility and trade. Navajo weaving, primarily practiced by women on upri...