The University of Arizona

Blanket Details

Classic poncho/sarape
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Classic poncho/sarape
Date: Circa 1840-1860

“It’s so amazing—the weaver started at the bottom and knew what they were going to do way up there. They just figured it all out. I love that! The planning brings this piece together. Even the subtle use of green makes the whole rug uniform. It hangs with the regal quality of a first lady saying, ‘I am so fine.’” —Sierra Ornelas

“Finely terraced (stepped) motifs, derived in part from early southwestern basketry patterns, are typical of blankets from the Classic period (1800-1865).

Despite the hardships for Navajos during army occupation of the 1860s and ‘70s, soldiers represented ready buyers for handwoven goods. Many museums now own pieces obtained by military collectors. Major Ennalls Waggaman presumably collected this superb sarape in Navajo country during the late 1800s.” —Ann Hedlund


Tapestry weave, interlocked joins

1.29 x 1.67 m; Tassels 0.060 m
65.748 x 50.787 in.; Tassels 2.362 in.

Catalog No. E-2724

Gift of Major Ennalls Waggaman, 1954.

Function Fiber Type Ply-Spin-Twist Color Dye Count *
Warp Wool Handspun -- Z -- White None 13
Weft Wool Raveled 2 Z -- Red Cochineal, Tested 61
Weft Wool Handspun -- Z -- Dk Blue Indigo 66
Weft Wool Handspun -- Z -- Green Indigo+Native 71
Weft Wool Handspun -- Z -- White None 86
Ecord Wool Handspun 3 z S Dk Blue Indigo 2
* threads/inch
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