A HISTORY OF NAVAJO WEAVING
Most designs were alternating stripes in the earlier portion of the period to a combination of stripes and diamonds, triangles, and zig-zag lines in the later period. An occasional example of serrated, diagonal lines encompassed within a given stripe exists.
The Classic Period is known for its blankets. These were made for wearing. They were designed for warmth and as such are soft, tight and not heavy. Usually the weft count (number of weft threads in an inch) would exceed 40. Sixty is not unusual. Often these blankets, known as "Chiefs Blankets," were given as gifts to other Indian leaders and to American military and political authorities. Blankets were also a trade item affordable only to the well to do. It was probably this economic status as well as the "leader to leader" gift that resulted in its naming. It is in this context that the latter phase of the Classic Period and the subsequent Eye Dazzler Period are further time defined. It must be remembered that designs from this era were used well into the twentieth century and cannot be used exclusively to date a blanket or rug. (The designs described below are the norm, certainly others existed as well.)
Phase I - Chief's Blanket, Classic Period This is the earliest phase and dates from1850 to 1865. The designs are usually three red and indigo blue patterned stripes between broad black and white stripes. Colors do vary. Phase II - Chief's Blanket, Classic Period This is a transition from the simple Phase I to the more elaborate Phase III. Usually the red and blue ( or other color ) stripes are interrupted along their length by shorter colored bands. Again, three is the most often encountered number. The dominatn, wide, alternating black and white bands still exist. From 1860 - 1875.
Phase III - Chief's Blanket Classic Period This pattern still retains the wide black and white bands but now depicts stepped triangles in the corners and on the sides and ends as well as a stepped diamond as a center design. Reds and blues are most often used, however, a plethora of other colors are often encountered. This includes purples, oranges and many shades of brown. The third phase pattern was so popular that it was used well after the demise of the wearing blanket and simply carried over into the weaving of rug pattersn. For this reason, a Third Phase Chief's Blanket, i.e. a soft, fairly
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