Eye Dazzlers

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During the Transitional Period (1880-1900) from blanket-making to rug-weaving, Navajo weavers often applied bright commercial dyes to their handspun wool or used brilliantly colored commercial yarns in their rugs.  Borrowing from the elaborate serrate diamonds of Mexican Saltillo sarapes, they created eye-dazzling geometric designs with this new color palette.  Such “eye dazzlers” were popular with trading posts and tourist buyers.  Neither blankets nor rugs in their weight and texture, they were often used as table runners, sofa covers, room dividers, hall runners and wall hangings.