Sonachi Navajo Weaving Company presents a Combined Estates Sale

sonachi1Combined Estates Sale at the Sheraton Denver West, 360 Union in Lakewood will be October 3rd and 4th from 9 to 5 in the Red Rocks Room. This sale is sponsored by Sonachi Inc. and includes Native American jewelry, pottery and beadwork. Of special mention is Navajo weaving from the 19th through the 21st century in all sizes and styles. 20 percent of all jewelry proceeds will go to the Navajo Literacy Project. Appraisals of Navajo weaving can be done by appointment. Ben Leroux of Southwestern Textile Restorations will be in attendance to give estimates of cleaning and repairing of Navajo weaving.

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.

sonachi2Today, 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 3 & 4. The show is at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel and Conference Center in the Red Rockss Room at 360 Union Blvd. in Lakewood, Colorado. For more information, go to www.Sonachi.com or call Linda Lancaster at 303-570-2515.

Pictured to the Right. Rose Begay, Award winning Navajo weaver, at Santa Fe Indian Market pictured with Linda Lancaster. And, pictured below below, Melina Badonie in her graduation dress from ASU woven by her grandmother.

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