The Navajo weavings for sale at the October 4 & 5 Show at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel in Lakewood are from the 1930’s to the 21st century and include all styles, colors and sizes. The weavers are as young as 14 and as old as 71. Many so-called “master weavers” will be represented. A small selection of weavings for sale can be viewed at Sonachi.com. If you have always wanted to own a Two Grey Hills, a Teec Nos Pas, a Wide Ruins, a Ganado, a yeibeichei or a storm pattern, this is the place to look. After expenses, we will be donating 20% to the Navajo Literacy Project, headed by Navajo native teacher, Daryl Badonie.
In the 1840’s, the trading post system of exchange was the beginning of regional styles and designs for weaving. Lorenzo Hubbell, at the trading post in Ganado, encouraged weavers to produce colors and designs that he felt would sell to buyers off the reservation. JB Moore produced a catalogue that showed various styles and designs at the turn of the century. The Navajo weavers took these suggestions for patterns and made them their own by adding clan signs and religious symbols that were their personal signature.
Today, the regional styles are still prevalent but a weaver may produce designs from many areas of the reservation, not just the area where he/she lives. The most popular styles today are Two Grey Hills, Ganado Reds, Crystals, Burnhams, storm patterns, pictorials, chief’s blankets, sand-paintings and Teec Nos Pos designs. In the 21st century, Navajo weavers are still using the traditional, upright Navajo loom to produce intricate and individual weavings. It is still almost impossible to find two weavings that are exactly the same- each has the distinctive hand-print of the weaver. Weaving is now taught on the Navajo reservation in grade schools, high schools, and community colleges.
Sonachi, Inc. will have examples of each of these styles at the weaving show October 4 & 5. The show is at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel and Conference Center in the Genesee Room at 360 Union Blvd. in Lakewood, Colorado. For more information, go to www.Sonachi.com or call Linda Lancaster at 303-570-2515.
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