First Phase Chief's Blanket, c. 1850-1860Navajo people; American southwestWool; 71 1/2 x 53 3/4 in.1845Gift of Charles F. Newcombe
A few years ago Collection staff came across this beautiful First Phase Chief's Blanket while assessing the Native American collection. This early type of Navajo weaving is rare and highly sought after object of American history, with only about 50 blankets known to exist. Blankets such as this date to the early 19th century and demonstrate early trends in Navajo blanket weaving. Large alternating bands of blue, white and brown color are indicative of the earliest (First Phase) Chief's Blankets. Through the Second and Third Phases weavers began including more design elements in their blankets until they progressed into highly patterned and colored works of art made to be worn. This blanket's design is very unusual and of the experts we asked, none could recall another of its likeness. The use of red lines along the edges and the crosses at center are more inline with later Second Phase design elements, and may indicate that this blanket demonstrates the transition between First and Second Phase weaving styles.
Donated in 1936, the same year the museum opened its doors, the original documents state the blanket belonged to one of the most famous Americans, Geronimo. Unable to prove this unlikely claim, the blanket still remains a valuable piece of history and a treasure in the Bowers' collection. A conservation team stabilized the blanket's structural weaknesses and cleaned the fibers making it possible to see the same vibrant colors as the blanket's weaver intended nearly 200 years ago.
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