Painting With Wool - Celebrating the gifts of the Navajo Artist's Loom

PRESENTS

PAINTING WITH WOOL
NAVA J O P I C T O R IA L W E AV I N G S

NOVEMBER 4, 2016 TO JANUARY 4, 2017

PAINTING WITH WOOL

C E L E B R AT I N G T H E G I F T S O F T H E NAVA J O A RT I S T ’ S L O O M

Our goal for this exhibition is to present a
comprehensive collection of the most unusual
pictorial weavings we have been able to
assemble, in the past 45 years (some old friends).
This is the Premier offering for many of the
collection pieces. Images are inspired by Navajo
culture, ceremony and lifestyle, from sacred to
whimsical. They truly represent a window into
American and Native American life.

The first Navajo pictorial weavings were from the pre-1900
era and were likely inspired from Navajo oral history
passed on through generations and petroglyphs within the
Navajo Homelands.

In the 1880s the railroad came through the reservation.
The Navajo were exposed to all manner of new visual
stimuli, from locomotives and cars (chitties) to labeling
on packaging and trade goods. This new material for the
Navajo weavers continued well into the 1940s and 1950’s
with tourists, cars, planes, as well as impressions made by
the world wars. In a sense, pictorial weavings have become
sort of a visual record of Navajo History.

Rural Navajos typically live in family units comprised
of 6 or more dwellings (hogans) on matriarchal grazing
leases, allowing them to help each other with design and
execution. For example, there are a number of families
in the Many Farms area who are known for their Navajo
Lifestyle pictorial weavings; depicting day to day pastoral
activities, curing ceremonies, scenic locations or landmarks
important to the Navajo Nation.

2

Spider Woman Pictorial Spider Woman instructed the Navajo women how to
circa 1930 weave on a loom which Spider Man told them how
to make. The crosspoles were made of sky and earth
cords, the warp sticks of sun rays, the healds(sic)
of rock crystal and sheet lightning. The batten was
a sun halo, white shell made the comb. There were
four spindles: one a stick of zigzag lightning with a
whorl of cannel coal; one a stick of flash lightning
with a whorl of turquoise; a third had a stick of sheet
lightning with a whorl of abalone; a rain streamer
formed the stick of the fourth spindle, and its whorl
was white shell.

A Story of Navajo Weavers and Chanters, first published by Gladys A.

Reichard, 1934

Some of the weavings in the exhibit are of monumental Steve Getzwiller & Cara Gorman by
proportions and would have taken years to make. The Spider Rock at Canyon de Chelly
effort, craftsmanship and talent that goes into a multi-
year weaving project is a major accomplishment. We
have to take our hats off to the dedication of the weavers
and to the beauty of this unique art form.

We hope you will enjoy the exhibition as much as we
have enjoyed putting it together. The images to us are:
impactful, important, ingenious, woven with yarns of
thought and soul and earth and sky…. Images paint
the picture of an Indian Chief, emergence figures,
a landscape, a ceremonial scene, horses, sheep,
cattle, people, gods, yeis, symbolism, commissioned
commemoratives, and so much more! Enjoy!

3

TEEC NOS POS RUG IN A RUG IN A RUG
PICTORIAL

CHURRO 353

CIRCA: 2002 SIZE: 5’10 X10’9”

MASTER WEAVER: CINDY NEZ
BORN : 1977

CLAN :
“Where Water Meets Together” (mother).
“ Tangle Clan” (father).
“Comanche Warrior” (Nalii) and
“Bitter Water” (Grandparents)

Cindy Started Weaving in 1981 when she was 4 years
old. She was taught by her sisters and her Mother Grace
Nez. Cindy stated, “My mother is the reason I started
weaving!”

Cindy is one of the most talented and skilled weavers
working today. She has had weavings exhibited at the
Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ.

Teec/Pictorial over 2 years on the loom. Made from custom spun and hand dyed
Navajo Churro Wool. 9 different rug designs woven within one large Teec Nos Pos
and rare use of natural dyed silk highlights. This weaving won the highest honor of
Best Of Show, at the 2004 Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial. The first Navajo Churro
Collection weaving to win Best of Show.
Registry #353 of the Navajo Churro Collection Collection (Private Collection)

4

5

NIGHT SKY YEI BE CHEI
PICTORIAL

CHURRO 227

CIRCA: 2000 SIZE: 4’ X 9’

MASTER WEAVER: BERLINDA NEZ BARBER
BORN : JANUARY, 05 1975

CLAN :
I am Where Water Meets Born of Tangle Clan. My Nali is “Comanche Warrior” and my
grandparents are “Bitter Water”

Berlinda started weaving in the summer of 1990 when she was 14 years old. She was taught by her
Mother, Grace Nez. Berlinda is one of the most talented weavers we have ever worked with.
Berlinda’s weavings have been exhibited in a number of exhibitions at the Desert Caballeros
Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ.

Yei imagery against a night sky, depicting stars, constellations, and moon with a Teec Nos Pos
Border. Over 2 years on the loom.

Registry #227 of the Navajo Churro Collection (Premiere offering of our Private Collection)

6

TEEC NOS POS – YEI PICTORIAL

CHURRO 285

CIRCA: 2002 SIZE: 4’ X 8’

Belinda with Churro Lamb
Yei Pictorial within a Teec
Nos Pos design. Superb use
and gradation of color. On
the loom over 2 years.
Registry #285 of the Navajo
Churro Collection.
(Premiere offering of our
Private Collection)

7

Two Pictorial weavings made by the
Nez family for Steve & Gail Getzwiller.

Pictured Left to right behind their
mother Graze Nez; Berlinda, Linda,
Cindy, Marian, Helene, Lena and
Cecelia.

COWHIDE PICTORIAL

CHURRO 152

CIRCA: 1998 SIZE: 5’ X 7’

WOVEN BY EMILY BLAKE
Made from custom spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro
wool.
A whimsical cowhide pictorial with floral elements
and historic Texas & Arizona brands handed down
through Steve Getzwiller’s family.

Registry #152 of the Navajo Churro Collection
(Premiere offering of our Private Collection)

8

GERMANTOWN STYLE PICTORIAL

CHURRO 1130

CIRCA: 2011 SIZE: 4’ X 6’1”

MASTER WEAVER CARA GORMAN
Cara has received many awards for her weaving
excellence and has had many weavings exhibited at the
Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg.

Germantown Style 4 in 1 with pictorial elements
including: bows and arrows and hats.
1st place Multi-Pattern Weavings: 2015 Gallup Inter-
Tribal Ceremonial.

Registry #1130 of the Navajo Churro Collection

CORN STALK YEI PICTORIAL

CHURRO 1475

CIRCA: 2016 SIZE: 3’11” X 6’

MASTER WEAVER SELENA YAZZIE.
Selena has won many awards 2 of which were Best
of Textile at the Gallup All Indian Inter-Tribal
Ceremonial. Many of her weavings have been
exhibited in a number of exhibitions at the Desert
Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg, AZ.

Pictorial elements include Cornstalk Yei, Cattle with
antique brands and Blue Birds (messengers to the
gods). Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial 1st place &
Best of Category 2016.

Registry #1475 of the Navajo Churro Collection

9

STORM PICTORIAL

CHURRO 1484

CIRCA: 2016 SIZE: 2’10” X 5’

MASTER WEAVER : IRVIN PHILLIPS
Irvin is the only male weaver that is part of the Navajo
Churro Collection Project. Irvin has won many awards
at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial.

Bold and elegant in black, white and grey Storm Pattern
with Teepee Border. Made from custom spun, hand dyed
Navajo Churro wool.

Registry #1484 of the Navajo Churro Collection

GERMANTOWN STYLE PICTORIAL

CHURRO 910

CIRCA: 2012 SIZE: 2’5” X 5’

MASTER WEAVER : GLORIA HARDY

Horse Pictorial inspired by 1880s Antique
Germantown Pictorial Saddle Blanket. Image may
have been taken from nearby petro glyphs.
Made from custom spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro
wool.

Registry #910 of the Navajo Churro Collection

10

TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL

CHURRO 1436

CIRCA: 2015 SIZE: 4’ X 6’

MASTER WEAVER CARA GORMAN.
Cara has received many awards for her weaving
excellence and has had many weavings exhibited at the
Desert Caballeros Western Museum in Wickenburg.

Tree of Life Pictorial includes Blue Birds (messengers to
the gods) based on 1920s weaving. Gallup Inter-Tribal
Red Ribbon Winner.
Made from custom spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro wool.

Registry #1436 of the Navajo Churro Collection

TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL

PC1

CIRCA: 1920-1930 SIZE: 3’10” X 6’1”

Tree of Life with very unusual border. A rare image
for this time frame. Likely woven in the Teec Nos Pos
Area. Includes the image of the Blue Bird (messenger
to the gods)

All hand carded, hand spun and hand dyed Lincoln
Wool.

11

BISTIE STYLE PICTORIAL

CHURRO 1462

CIRCA: 2015 SIZE: 4’3” X 5’9”

MASTER WEAVER ELSIE BIA.
Born: 8-25-1951. Clan: “Big Water Clan” for “Tangle
People Clan” Grandpa “Edgewater Clan, Naali
“Bitterwater Clan”. Awards: 3 Best of Category; 6- 1st
Place; & many more. She was taught weaving at age 14
by her mom & grandmom.

Bistie Style with floral elements. Curvilinear designs
are extremely difficult to weave. Made from custom
spun, hand dyed Navajo Churro wool. Registry #1462
of the Navajo Churro Collection

BISTIE PICTORIAL

GHT 2250

CIRCA: 1930 SIZE: 3’4” X 5’

RAREST OF ALL REGIONAL STYLES. BISTIE’S
ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR CURVILINEAR
DESIGN, LENDING ITSELF TO MANY FLORAL
ELEMENTS.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

12

FOUR SUNS PICTORIAL

PC2

CIRCA: 1930S SIZE: 4’7” X 7’5”

MIX OF VERY POWERFUL CEREMONIAL
IMAGERY. FOUR SUNS WITH RAYS GOING
TO THE 4 CARDINAL DIRECTIONS.
FLANKED BY YEI FIGURES (HOLDING SUNS
ARROWS AND PAYER RATTLES) AND 14
SACRED CORN PLANTS. RARE IMAGERY.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

HERO TWIN PICTORIAL

PC23

CIRCA: 1930S SIZE: 4’3” X 7’ 1”

YEI HERO TWINS DEPICTING FLINT,
LIGHTENING, AND ARROWS USED TO
SLAY THE MONSTERS. LIKELY WOVEN IN
THE RED MESA AREA.
MOST UNUSUAL. EXTREMELY WELL
WOVEN.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

13

32ND DEGREE MASONIC TAPESTRY

PC3

CIRCA: 1900 SIZE: 4’11” X 7’3”

THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SPECIAL ORDER
FOR A LODGE OR LODGE MEMBER WHO HAD
RECEIVED THE PRESTIGIOUS 32ND DEGREE
OF THE MASONS. THE HIGHEST DEGREE
POSSIBLE AND WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A
LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT.

Finely woven with Germantown Yarn from
Germantown Pennsylvania

MASONIC TAPESTRY GERMANTOWN YARN

PC4

CIRCA: 1895-1990 SIZE: 3’9” X 5’8”

COMMISSIONED FOR A MASON OF THE
SCOTTISH RITE. ONLY 2 EXAMPLES
ARE KNOWN TO EXIST. ONE IN THE
SMITHSONIAN AND THE OTHER AT
NIZHONI RANCH GALLERY.

Finely woven with Germantown Yarn from
Germantown Pennsylvania

14

SHRINER PICTORIAL NAVAJO RUG

GHT 893
CIRCA: 1920-1930 SIZE: 3’3” X 3’10”

WOVEN IN THE TEEC NOS POS AREA
VEGETAL GREEN AND ORANGE. WOVEN FOR
THE SHRINERS KNOWN TO VISIT THE GRAND
CANYON AREA BY TRAIN.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.
Some vegetal dyes.

SHRINER HAT PICTORIAL

GHT 1891
CIRCA: 1920-1930 SIZE: 3’2” X 4’8”

ESPECIALLY WELL WOVEN IN THE TEEC
NOS POS AREA. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A
SPECIAL COMMISSION FOR A SHRINER.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool utilizing some natural dyes.

15

MOONLIGHT TRADING POST PICTORIAL

PC5 CIRCA: 1920S SIZE: 2’3” X 5’3”

WOVEN IN THE MONUMENT VALLEY AREA AND REFERRING TO THE OLJATO TRADING
POST ESTABLISHED IN 1921. OLJATO MEANS MOONLIGHT WATER IN NAVAJO. LISTED
ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.

INDIAN CHIEF PICTORIAL

GHT 2050

CIRCA: 1940S SIZE: 3’4” X 5’4”

A RARE IMAGE IN NAVAJO WEAVING,
WOVEN IN THE MONUMENT VALLEY AREA
WHEN JOHN FORD WAS FILMING MANY
WESTERN MOVIES. HE OFTEN CAST
NAVAJOS TO PLAY THE PART OF PLAINS
INDIAN WARRIORS. THIS SIOUX CHIEF IS
SPORTING A BUTTON DOWN COLLAR AND
SUSPENDERS.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

16

GERMANTOWN PICTORIAL BLANKET

GHT 2037

CIRCA: 1880S SIZE: 4’1” X 6’6”

EXTREMELY FINELY WOVEN EXAMPLE OF
A GERMANTOWN WEAVING REFLECTING
BOTH HISPANIC AND NAVAJO INFLUENCE.
NOTICE THE VERY MINIATURE FIGURE IN
THE CENTER OF THE WEAVING. THIS IS A
RARE GEM!

Woven with early 4 ply Germantown yarn

ACOMA MANTA SIZE: 4’4” X 5’2”

PC6 CIRCA: 1880 EXTREMELY FINE DIAMOND
TWILL DESIGN WITH INDIGO.
GERMANTOWN FLORAL
EMBROIDERED DESIGN WAS
ADDED LATER. NOTICE FINISH
POINTS INTACT ON THE SIDES.
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL
CONDITION.

All hand carded, hand spun, and
hand dyed native wool. The black
wool is over dyed with a natural
black, possibly sumac. Germantown
embroidered accents.

17

TRANSITIONAL WITH NAVAJO
MEDICINE BAG DESGIN

GHT 2235

CIRCA: 1890-1900 SIZE: 6’2” X 7’8”

NAVAJO MEDICINE MAN’S CEREMONIAL
MEDICINE BAG IMAGERY IS EXTREMELY
RARE FOR THIS TIME PERIOD. LIKELY
WOVEN IN THE HUBBELL / GANADO AREA.
VERY EARLY RUG!

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed merino
wool.

NAVAJO CEREMONIAL PICTORIAL

GHT 2232 CIRCA: 1900 SIZE: 3’2” X 5’6”

HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT
IMAGERY OF DRAWSTRING
MEDICINE POUCHES AND
FEATHERS THAT WOULD BE
PLACED INSIDE A MEDICINE
BAG (CENTER DESIGN). BLUE
AND GREEN ARROW SHAFTS
ARE GERMANTOWN YARN

Hand carded, handspun, and hand
dyed Native Wool.

18

PICTORIAL DEPICTING FLYING EAGLES

PC07

CIRCA: 1920-1930 SIZE: 4’1” X 5’9”

PICTORIAL WITH EAGLE DESIGN. ILLUSION
OF THE EAGLES FLYING. WOVEN IN THE
CHINLE, NAZILNI AREA BASED ON THE
VEGETAL DYES UTILIZED IN THE WEAVING.
Hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Native
Wool.

TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL

GHT 1030

CIRCA: 1920 SIZE: 2’7” X 4’

VERY EARLY EXAMPLE OF A TREE OF LIFE
PICTORIAL. INCLUDING BLUE BIRD,
MESSENGERS TO THE GODS. A RARE AND
BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE.

Hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Native
Wool.

19

CHURRO SHEEP ABSTRACT

GHT 2235

CIRCA: 1930S SIZE: 3’3” X 3’8”

CHURRO SHEEP IMAGE ACHIEVED BY
LAYING IN THE GREY AND WHITE YARNS TO
BUILD THE CHURRO SHEEP PORTRAIT. ONE
OF A KIND.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Churro
wool.

SACRED BLUE CORN PICTORIAL

GHT 2140 CIRCA: 1900 - 1910 SIZE: 2’11” X 5’

CORN PLANTS COMPLETE WITH ROOTS EMERGING FROM THE UNDERWORLD AND

RAINBOW BARS SYMBOLIZING LIFE GIVING WATER.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.

20

NAVAJO DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET
HORSE PICTORIAL

GHT 1973

CIRCA: 1940 SIZE: 29” X 60”

HORSE PICTORIAL SADDLE BLANKET USING
ALL NATURAL DYES. UNUSUAL PICTORIAL
DESIGN, VERY LIFELIKE IMAGE OF THE
HORSE.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL

JV CIRCA: 1940 SIZE: 38” X 57”

DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL. OWNED BY TRADER JACK, WHO WAS A WELL

KNOWN ‘PICKER’ IN HIS DAY. HE KEPT THE VERY BEST, THIS ONE HUNG OVER HIS

COUCH FOR 30 YEARS.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.

21

TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL

GHT 2176

CIRCA: 1930S SIZE: 4’1” X 6’

THE RAVEN IMAGES ARE IMPORTANT TO
THE NATIVE AMERICANS. THEY REPRESENT
WISDOM AND INTELLIGENCE.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

BIRD PICTORIAL TREE OF LIFE

PC 09

CIRCA: 1920S SIZE: 3’2” X 6’5”

MOST UNUSUAL RED MESA/TEEC NOS
POS PICTORIAL WITH AN UNUSUAL BIRD
BORDER REMINISCENT OF A TREE OF LIFE.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln
wool.

22

CORNSTALK YEI PICTORIAL

PC10

CIRCA: 1920 SIZE: 57”X 142”

A CORNSTALK YEI OF MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS.
BROWN IS A VEGETAL DYE COLOR. TEEC NOS POS BORDER. UNUSUAL EXAMPLE OF
AN EARLY PICTORIAL RUG AND AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT PROJECT FOR A NAVAJO
WEAVER IN THIS TIME FRAME.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool. Possibly Churro Wool

23

GERMANTOWN YEI BE CHEI

PC11 CIRCA: 1890-1900 SIZE: 26” X 46”

THESE 2 VERY
COLORFUL
GERMANTOWN YEI
BE CHEI WEAVINGS
ARE CLEARLY
WOVEN BY THE
SAME WEAVER.
STEVE COLLECTED
ONE, THEN 15 YEARS
LATER THE OTHER
ONE

GERMANTOWN YEI BE CHEI

PC 12 CIRCA: 1890-1900 SIZE: 24” X 46”

SURFACED. IT ONLY TOOK THEM 100+ YEARS TO FIND EACH OTHER TOGETHER
AGAIN. Germantown Yarn from Germantown Pennsylvania

24

TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL

PC13 CIRCA: 1920-1930 SIZE: 3’4” X 7’10”

TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL WITH MALE AND FEMALE YEI BE CHEI IMAGES WITH

MEDICINE POUCHES AND SACRED RATTLES. UNIQUE CARD PLAYING PICTORIAL

ELEMENTS: SPADES AND “CLUBS” LIKELY A COMMISSIONED WEAVING.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.

TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL

PC14 CIRCA: 1930 SIZE: 5’ X 8’1”

24 CANS IMAGERY. BOTH
BOTTLED BEER AND
ORANGE CRUSH SODA
WERE 1ST AVAILABLE IN
CANS DURING THE 1930S.
THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN
A SPECIAL COMMISSION
WEAVING, VERY FINE
AND TIGHTLY WOVEN.
THIS IS ATTRIBUTED TO
A MASTER WEAVER OF
THAT TIME MRS SLOCUM
CLAH

All hand carded, handspun,
and hand dyed Lincoln wool.

25

TEEC NOS POS PICTORIAL
RUNNER

GHT 2111

CIRCA: 1920S SIZE: 4’9” X 11’2”

VERY LARGE RUNNER WITH NATURAL
WOOL COLOR BACKGROUND. PICTORIAL
ELEMENTS INCLUDE SACRED CORN AND
BLUE BIRDS: MESSENGERS TO THE GODS.
A VERY RARE AND OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE
IN LIKE NEW CONDITION.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

HERO TWIN TEEC NOS POS

PC 15 CIRCA: 1930 SIZE: 4’9” X 8’ 5”

PICTORIAL DESIGNS EXEMPLIFYING MULTIPLE IMAGES OF THE HERO TWINS
ASCENDING FROM THE UNDERWORLD. CLEARLY WOVEN BY A MASTER WEAVER,
EXTREMELY WELL WOVEN. EXCELLENT CONDITION

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln wool.

26

CRYSTAL PICTORIAL

PC16

CIRCA: 1920 SIZE: 3’2” X 6’2”

WATERBUG PICTORIAL WITH ALTERNATING
FEATHER DESIGN AND ARROWS. FROM THE
JB MOORE ERA. VERY WELL WOVEN.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

J B MOORE PICTORIAL

PC17

CIRCA: 1910 SIZE: 4’7” X 7’

NATIVE WOOL FOR THIS WEAVING WAS
SENT EAST BY JB MOORE, THEN THE YARN
WAS RETURNED, READY FOR USE. ALL
NATURAL WOOL COLOR EXCEPT BROWN
IS VEGETAL DYED. EXTREMELY RARE AND
EARLY. OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE IN MINT
CONDITION.

JB Moore custom processed native wool.

27

DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL

GHT 2162

CIRCA: 1920S SIZE: 2’11” X 4’10”

DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET WITH NATURAL
WOOL BACKGROUND AND ANILINE RED
HIGHLIGHTS IN PRAYER FEATHER DESIGN
ELEMENTS.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

COW HEAD PICTORIAL

GHT 1018

CIRCA: 1940S SIZE: 3’2” X 4’6”

DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL
WITH FLOATING COW HEAD DESIGNS. NICE
VARIEGATION IN GREY HAND CARDED
WOOL DESIGNS.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

28

GREAT STAR PICTORIAL

GHT 2161

CIRCA: 1910-1920 SIZE: 4’8” X 2’ 11”

CONSTELLATIONS REPRESENT IMAGES
WITH UNIQUE STORIES AND SPIRITUAL
BELIEFS FOR THE NAVAJO. FROM A CHANT
WAY DEVOTED TO THE GREAT STAR.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

BISTIE PICTORIAL

PC 18

CIRCA: 1920 SIZE: 3’6” X 6’

TOURISTS TRAVELING IN FRED HARVEY

TOURING CARS WERE JUST ARRIVING

“OUT WEST”. THIS SHADE OF GREEN WAS

A FAVORITE IN THE BISTIE AREA ON THE

RESERVATION. LOOK CLOSELY AT THE

CENTER FOR THE PALE GREEN TOURING

CAR!


All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln
wool.

29

NAVAJO SINGLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL

PC19 CIRCA: 1920 - 1930 SIZE: 2’3” X 2’10”

NATURAL WOOL COLORS.
FEATHER AND ARROW
PICTORIAL : FOUR DIRECTION
DESIGN.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand
dyed native wool.

SINGLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL
WITH ADDITIONAL SUNDAY SADDLE TASSEL.

PC20 CIRCA: 1940S SIZE: 32” X 26”

UPON CLOSE INSPECTION OF
THE CORNSTALK PICTORIAL
ELEMENT, IT IS POSSIBLE
TO OBSERVE A DISTINCT
LANDSCAPE, THE FOREGROUND
WITH MOUNTAIN AND SKY
IN THE DISTANCE. THIS
IS ACHIEVED WITH THE
PLACEMENT OF NATURAL WOOL
COLORS.

Plate 41 in Treasures of the Navajo
Horseman

All hand carded, handspun, and hand
dyed native wool.

30

STORM PATTERN-PICTORIAL SINGLE SADDLE
BLANKET

GHT 2065 CIRCA: 1920S SIZE: 2’11” X 4’10”

STORM PATTERN- PICTORIAL SINGLE
SADDLE BLANKET WITH COW HEAD
CENTER DESIGN. LIKELY WOVEN IN
THE CRYSTAL AREA
RARE.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed
native wool.

SINGLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL

GHT 661 CIRCA: 1920-1930 SIZE: 2’6” X 2’8”

SINGLE BLANKET PICTORIAL WITH
MANY BIRDS AND STARS. FOLK ART AT
ITS FINEST. MOST LIKELY WOVEN BY A
VERY ELDERLY WEAVER.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed
native wool with some natural dyed blue
mohair highlights.

31

SPIDER WOMAN PICTORIAL

PC21

CIRCA: 1930 SIZE: 4’1” X 7’ 6”

SPIDER WOMAN IMAGERY. LIKELY TEEC
NOS POS AREA. BROWN IS NATURAL DYED
WITH MOUNTAIN MAHOGANY ROOT.
EXTREMELY RARE AND UNUSUAL IMAGERY.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Lincoln
wool.

SPIDER WOMAN PICTORIAL

PC22

CIRCA: 1930 SIZE: 4’ X 6’4”

POWERFUL IMAGERY OF SPIDER WOMAN/
HERO TWIN. CRYSTAL AREA. VERY
PURPOSEFUL SPIRIT LINE. WONDERFUL
EXAMPLE.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Native
wool.

32

DEER PICTORIAL

GHT 2253

CIRCA: 1890-1900 SIZE: 3’4” X 5’4”

DEER PICTORIAL MADE IN THE CRYSTAL
AREA. DEER ARE CONSIDERED SACRED
TO THE NAVAJO. DEER SKINS ARE
UTILIZED IN EVERY MAJOR CEREMONY.
YEI DANCERS WEAR THEM AND THE
SACRED MEDICINE POUCHES & BAGS ARE
MADE OF DEER SKIN.

All hand carded, hand spun, hand dyed Merino
Wool.

TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL

GHT 728

CIRCA: 1920 SIZE: 40”X 84”

EARLY, EARLY TREE OF LIFE PICTORIAL
WITH NEGATIVE FIELD.
THE MANY PICTORIAL ELEMENTS
INCLUDE BIRDS, BUGS, BOWS, ARROWS,
FEATHERS, AND SACRED CORN PLANTS.

All hand carded, hand Spun, hand dyed native
wool. Very tightly woven.

33

TWO GREY HILLS PICTORIAL

PC24

CIRCA: 1920S SIZE: 4’5” X 6’

TWO GREY HILLS/STORM PATTERN.
BASED ON JB MOORE PLATE XVII THAT
INCORPORATES INTENTIONAL LANDSCAPE
AND COW HEADS. ALL NATURAL WOOL
COLOR EXCEPT ANILINE RED.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed churro
wool.

HERO TWIN PICTORIAL

PC25

CIRCA: 1920 SIZE: 4’5” X 4’5”

THIS WEAVING REPRESENTS THE
THREE LEVELS OF THE STORY OF
THE HERO TWINS EMERGING FROM
THE UNDERWORLD. INCLUDES
SYMBOLS FOR THE 4 DIRECTIONS
AND SPENT ARROWS, DEPICTING THE
CONFLICT WITH THE MONSTERS.
INTENTIONALLY WOVEN TO CREATE
LANDSCAPE.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed
Lincoln wool.

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GERMANTOWN TRAIN LOOMER

NFS CIRCA: 1880-1890 SIZE: 18.5”X17”

THIS WEAVING WAS LIKELY
COMMISSIONED BY FRED
HARVEY FOR THE TOURISTS
TRAVELING BY TRAIN.
‘LOOMERS’ ARE PARTIALLY
WOVEN AND LEFT ON THE
LOOM TO REPRESENT THE
WEAVING IN PROCESS.

Germantown Yarn from Germantown
Pennsylvania

CORN KATCHINA MASK PICTORIAL

PC26 CIRCA: 1920-1930S SIZE: 2’1” X 2’2”

WOVEN IN THE KEAMS
CANYON AREA. LORENZO
HUBBELL JR COMMISSIONED
HOPI THEMED PICTORIALS
TO BE WOVEN BY THE NAVAJO
FOR THE FRED HARVEY
TOURS. QUITE RARE.

All hand carded, handspun, and
hand dyed native wool.

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J B MOORE PICTORIAL

PC27

CIRCA: 1900-1910 SIZE: 2’9” X 5’2”

JB MOORE PICTORIAL DOUBLE SADDLE
BLANKET. CENTRAL FIGURE IS A NAVAJO
WOMAN ALL DRESSED UP, INCLUDING
SILVER BUTTONS. PLATE 11 IN TREASURES
OF THE NAVAJO HORSEMAN PLATE VARIANT
OUT OF THE JB MOORE 1911 CATALOG.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed Merino
wool.

DOUBLE SADDLE BLANKET PICTORIAL

PC28

CIRCA: 1920 SIZE: 2’10”X 4’3”

NAVAJO WOMAN WITH A MALE FOXTAIL YEI
BE CHEI DANCER
LIKELY WOVEN IN THE CRYSTAL AREA.

PLATE 26 IN TREASURES OF THE NAVAJO
HORSEMAN

Hand carded, hand spun, and hand dyed native
Wool.

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CRYSTAL BIRD PICTORIAL

GHT 2134

CIRCA: 1900S SIZE: 3’8” X 5’ 6”

JB MOORE PLATE XI VARIANT. DIAMOND
PATTERN: LIGHTENING FIGURE HAVING
PICTORIAL ELEMENTS. EXTREMELY RARE
EXAMPLE!

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

SACRED MOON AND SUN PICTORIAL

PC29

CIRCA: 1900S SIZE: 4’4” X 7’

MOONS WITH RAYS DEPICTING THE 4
CARDINAL DIRECTIONS. ENERGY FLOWS
FROM THE MOONS IN THE RAYS . MANY
SACRED SYMBOLS INCLUDING LIGHTNING
SHAFTS FATHER SUN GAVE TO MONSTER
SLAYER TO WARD OFF MONSTERS.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

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AIRZONA NAVAJO PICTORIAL

PC30

CIRCA: 1980S SIZE: 20” X 25.5”

SCENIC WONDERS OF ARIZONA ARE WOVEN
IN A MAP LIKE FORMAT. THIS IS A FOLK ART
MASTERPIECE. UNKNOWN ARTIST

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

WINDOW ROCK PICTORIAL

2037

CIRCA: 1980S SIZE: 3’ X 4’4”

WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF WOVEN SCENIC
ART, THIS IS AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE.
UNKNOWN ARTIST

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native
wool.

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MICKEY MOUSE PICTORIAL

3255

CIRCA: 2016 SIZE: 14” X 20”

WHIMSICAL PICTORIAL FEATURING DISNEY’S
FAVORITE MOUSE. WOVEN BY JOANNE BEGAY
A WELL KNOWN PICTORIAL WEAVER.

All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.

RAISED OUTLINE PICTORIAL

PC31 CIRCA: 2016 SIZE: 21” X 21”

UNKNOWN NAVAJO WEAVER CREATED
THIS FLORAL STILL LIFE. LIKELY FROM
THE NEWLANDS AREA. THIS WOULD
HAVE BEEN A HARD WEAVING TO
EXECUTE AS IT IS BOTH TWO SIDED AND
A RAISED OUTLINE PICTORIAL.

COORS PICTORIAL

PC32 CIRCA: 1990 SIZE: 20” X 14”

EXAMPLE OF TRANSPORTATION
AFFECTING WOVEN NAVAJO PICTORIAL
ART. GREAT LANDSCAPE AND
SPEEDING COORS SEMI-TRAILER
TRUCK WITH COORS SLOGAN “TASTE
THE HIGH COUNTRY”.
UNKNOWN ARTIST

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TREE OF LIFE

3024

CIRCA: 2015 SIZE: 38” X 52”

TREE OF LIFE DEPICTING THE SACRED
CORN PLANT GROWING FROM A
NAVAJO WEDDING / MEDICINE BASKET.
DEPICTING 70 SACRED BIRDS OF FLIGHT!
A VERY SPECIAL AND SACRED WEAVING,
PROMISING ALL THINGS GOOD IN LIFE.
Woven by Wenora Joe

TREE OF LIFE BIRD PICTORIAL

PC34

CIRCA: 1990 SIZE: 22.5” X 30”

WOVEN BY BRENDA CROSBY, AN
EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED NAVAJO
WEAVER. SHE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS
ACHIEVED THIS LEVEL OF REALISM IN THE
REPLICATION OF VARIOUS BIRD SPECIES
IN A NAVAJO WEAVING. THIS TREE OF LIFE
IS PAINTING WITH WOOL IN ITS TRUEST
FORM.
Woven by Brenda Crosby

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NAVAJO SQUAW DANCE PICTORIAL

B13 CIRCA: 1980S SIZE: 6’ X 6’11”

THIS WEAVING DEPICTS A CURING CEREMONY ON THE NAVAJO RESERVATION
HELD DURING THE RAINY SEASON. THE SQUAW DANCE IS ON THE 3RD OR LAST
DAY OF THE CEREMONY, BY THIS TIME THE AREA HAS BECOME VERY CROWDED
WITH MANY HORSES, WAGONS AND SPECTATORS.
All hand carded, handspun, and hand dyed native wool.

Juanita Tsosie from the Many Farms Area was the preeminent Navajo
folk artist -weaver of the 1980s-90s. A number of her weavings are in
prominent collections and institutions… one being in the Boulders
lobby in Carefree, AZ.

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YEI BE CHEI PICTORIAL

PC 33 CIRCA: 1985 SIZE: 3’5” X 5’

YEI BE CHEI WOVEN IN THE CHINLE AREA. STEVE PROVIDED MARIE WITH NEW
ZEALAND ROMNEY WOOL WHICH SHE DYED WITH VEGETAL AND MINERAL DYES
SHE GATHERED FROM THE RESERVATION.

Marie Shirley is one of the most accomplished weavers Steve has had
the privilege to work with during the 1970s-1990s. She has weavings
featured in Steve’s book, T he Fine Art of Navajo Weaving, under her
maiden name Marie Brown. The Heard Museum did a special exhibit
centered around Marie and her ability to weave virtually any regional
style in the 1990s, with weavings Steve commissioned from her over
a period of several years. Desert Caballeros Western Museum had an
entire area devoted to her weaving versatility in the year 2000.

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PRESERVING TRADITION

We certainly are blessed to be able to continue to
share the beautiful Navajo Textiles that have come
into our lives. We enjoy meeting everyone who
continues to support the Navajo Weavers with
encouragement and patronage.
We plan to continue our efforts to educate people
across the globe about this timeless art and of
the talent of one of the first nations of Americas
Indigenous People, the Dine..

Master Weaver Elsie Bia
demonstrates the art of

Painting with Wool!

We would like to share with you a nonprofit group we support. Last year they helped repair
the home for one of the Navajo Code Talkers.
We feel they are a worthwhile organization to support, with donations used to collaboratively
help the Indigenous Tribes of America..

www.redfeather.org

© copyright 2017 Steve & Gail Getzwiller , Sonoita Arizona

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PAINTING WITH WOOL STEVE & GAIL GETZWILLER

NOVEMBER 4, 2016 - JANUARY 4, 2017 SONOITA, ARIZONA
520-455-5020

www.navajorug.com