Chief Blanket (Third Phase)
c. 1860/65
Medium
Wool, single interlocking tapestry weave; twined edges; corner tassels
Dimensions
149.6 × 173.9 cm (58 7/8 × 68 1/2 in.)
Classification
textile
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
157115
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Textiles gallery, where we spotlight the masterful "Chief Blanket (Third Phase)" woven by Diné (Navajo) artists around 1860–65. This stunning wool textile, measuring nearly 5 by 6 feet, exemplifies the Navajo weaving tradition that flourished in the American Southwest during a time of cultural exchange and trade. Known as "Chief Blankets," these pieces were prized by tribal leaders and Plains Indians for their warmth, durability, and bold designs, often worn as robes or capes. The Third Phase marks a pivotal evolution in Navajo blanket design, featuring intricate stepped motifs...