Vintage Navajo 2nd Phase Chief’s Wearing Blanket Late Classic dated 1875-1880

Description

Circa 1875-1880 Late Classic 2nd Phase Navajo Chief's Wearing Blanket - Excellent Condition
This is an exquisite 2nd Phase variant Chief wearing blanket that was woven from old raveled Bayeta bolt cloth, Cochineal, Indigo, Spanish Churro handspun and early Germantown yarns.
The reds are all raveled out of Bayeta bolt cloth which include: three, deep & light salmon-pink colored bands/stripes which are 8 1/2", 6 1/2" and 7" wide.
Cochineal dyed (tested). border stripe/band and small design.
The design of  the central panel is a complex combination of over-laid box and cross elements encased by the bold brown and off-white Chief Stripes.
The blanket size is 51” inches tall x 67”+ wide. Being that it was an actual wearing blanket, in the areas where it was grabbed by hands in order to wrap the blanket around the shoulders, is a bit over 67” inches.
I used natural sunlight for photos to get the best exacting color as possible and because of the natural unfiltered light, there are some shadows that appear on the blanket, but they are only shadows from the light. In one photo with the blanket hanging, it is completely back lit by natural light so to see no repairs. The white bands/stripes are natural churro, "off-white" color, not white..
There is no fading on this 2nd phase blanket whatsoever, no holes, no worn thinning spots, and no bleeding whatsoever. The selvage cords are all in good condition. The colors are not gaudy but rich. NONE of the colors are faded which leads me to believe that the dyes are all natural. The blankets colors are extraordinarily perfect for an 1875-1880 dated blanket. The front and back are the exact same color. (see photos) The blanket has lots of lazy lines.
There are two "spirit lines" / "weaver's path" which are 2" long x 1/8” wide, in dark brown wool which is stitched into a pattern of tiny (x's). These spirit lines are primarily found on old Navajo blankets like this one from 1875. It indicates that the piece was woven not commercially but for home use. In the Navajo spider woman lore, the weaver, not to have her soul trapped in the blanket that she's worked on needed a path out, which is along these lines. Being that this is an extremely fine, old Chief's blanket, the lines may also indicate that it was weaved for a prominent Chief.
There is staining at one corner of the blanket
which
appears to be
a fixed
p
enetrating
splatter of e
ither an
o
il substance or similar. It is a
very old stain, perhaps going
as far back as when the blanket was made. To me, it is
part of it's character.
The stain
is more visible being
against
the off-white
band on the blanket,
but makes it a
much
easier stain to professionally
fix and lighten
if you choose.
This is no doubt one of the most handsome second phase Chief’s blankets that I have ever seen. The design and workmanship is superb. The blanket is tightly woven and extremely soft. The colors are magnificent. The size is perfect and will show-off very well!
This old 2nd phase Navajo blanket is very well preserved and difficult to find another one like it!   Guaranteed fast shipping and 14 day easy returns.