48075

Utes Classic Navajo Second Phase Chiefs Blanket

Currency:USD Category:Art Start Price:15,000.00 USD Estimated At:60,000.00 - 80,000.00 USD
Utes Classic Navajo Second Phase Chiefs Blanket
<B>Classic Navajo Second Phase Chief's Blanket collected from the Utes in Colorado</B></I><BR>Circa 1865<BR>Length 60 in. Width 67 in.<BR><BR>Second phase pattern blankets differ from the simple banded first phase examples by the addition of rectangles that break up the banded layout. This example forms a classic twelve spot pattern. There are two central red and blue bands, each band enclosing three red rectangles, a stepped diamond outline within. This pattern is repeated in single bands at each end. The background is formed by alternating bands in white and brown. The red yarns in this weaving are all single-ply raveled bayeta, cochineal-dyed (Dye testing was provided by David Wenger, Ph.D.). The blue is handspun wool dyed with indigo, together with vegetal-dyed green and yellow handspun. The brown and white are natural, undyed handspun wool.<BR><BR>Provenance<BR>Descended through the family of General Francis Henry French. General French collected this blanket while stationed in Colorado. General French wrote about his efforts to acquire a Navajo weaving in a letter dated September 22, 1880 from "In camp near Los Pinos Agency, Colorado." French writes that he is "going up to the Agency, Saturday, to see the rations issued to the Indians which is a regular weekly affair. I want to buy a blanket from the Indians also…I had a queer experience with two of them in trying to buy a blanket. I offered one man $5 for a blanket, but he said $8 after a great deal of talking. I agreed to pay $8, and started to get some change from the store, when he wanted $10. In spite of his offer, nothing less than $10 would satisfy him. Seeing I wouldn't take the blanket, another young buck agreed to sell me one for $10 and I drew out the amount immediately so that he should not have a chance to change, but before I could pay, he wanted $5 more, and I would not take the blanket. The only way is to have plenty