Navajo Yei Weaving Circa 1950
All Natural Handspun Wool
56" x 78"
The Yei weaving is a great example of the weavings of this type made in the 1930-40’s in the Shiprock, New Mexico area. At the time that the Navajo weavings were transitioning from being wearing blankets to being used as floor rugs, the traders at different posts encouraged the use of certain patterns. Shiprock was late to develop it’s own style, but in the 1920’s, the weavers began to use figures found in their traditional sand paintings which Medicine Men created for healing purposes. The figures of the Navajo Deities were a perfect choice. They became popular with collectors as they embodied the idea of an “Indian” weaving. The Yei’s are either female (with rectangular heads) or male (with round heads). These weavings, during this time, were always colored with bright dyes. This Yei is woven with hand spun wool and colored with aniline dyes.
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