Saddle blankets were woven for personal use, not generally for sale. What the weaver had in mind when she wove the blanket was what was important. What the trader might have suggested was of no importance.

In this saddle blanket the brown center represents the earth and the orange and red comb-like diagonals represent the rainbow. Another interpretation is the red represents the female earth, and the white the male sky. The hook elements around the edges of the blanket extend from under the saddle, like the feathers of a bird’s tail.

Originally, the Diné rode horses bareback. They had no saddles. When the saddle became available, the weavers saw the need for saddle blankets both to protect the horse and the rider. The Diné believe there is a prevailing uncertainty when one ventures into the alien territory that lies outside the four mountains marking the boundaries of Dinébikéyah. Whatever protection the weaver can provide in making a saddle blanket is protection the traveler would otherwise not have.

This blanket was woven from all native homespun wool. It is in very good condition.

Recommended Reading: Weaving A World: Textiles and the Navajo Way of Seeing,(click here to view details of book) by Roseann S. Willink and Paul G. Zolbrod. (Available from Adobe Gallery)