CBlev65252
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posted on June 21, 2005 07:00:23 PM
Any ideas how I can find out if this is Navajo or what Native American tribe this might be from. It's small so I'm assuming it's a pony blanket. Very heavy and wool. The blanket has red leather around both side edges on the back. Thanks.
Cheryl
[ edited by CBlev65252 on Jun 21, 2005 07:03 PM ]
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sparkz
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posted on June 21, 2005 07:10:41 PM
Cheryl...Try this site. There are several links at the top. You might find someone who can tell if it's Navajo:
http://www.lapahie.com/Window_Rock_Capitol.cfm
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
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CBlev65252
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posted on June 21, 2005 07:28:28 PM
Thanks, sparkz. I've emailed a couple of the sites. Hopefully, I'll get a reply. This is not exactly my area of expertise and I've searched eBay, but of course there's not one like this. I did however see a couple new ones with this type of pattern that were labeled as Navajo style. I know that this one is not new. The leather on the back is cracking. Anyone have suggestions on how to stop it from cracking more or should I leave it as is?
Cheryl
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profe51
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posted on June 21, 2005 09:25:42 PM
It's a Mexican wool saddleblanket. Navajo saddle blankets don't have leather trim, and virtually never have fringe on the ends. $39.95 at any good feed store or saddle shop in Arizona-New Mexico-Texas. Good saddle blanket, lousy collectible.
I've got a tack barn full of them, how many would you like?
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Fue por lana y salió trasquilado...
[ edited by profe51 on Jun 21, 2005 09:27 PM ]
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on June 22, 2005 03:01:50 AM
profe51 is correct. Sorry!! Not Native American at all. I didn't know about the leather part - just the fringe.
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CBlev65252
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posted on June 22, 2005 04:18:59 AM
Prof
That's what I thought until I saw these (and there are more with fringe):
From what I've been reading just about anything goes if it was made for sale outside the tribe. At any rate, I know someone here that can tell me if I can get them while they happen to be in town and not drumming at a Pow Wow somewhere.
Cheryl
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profe51
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posted on June 22, 2005 05:33:25 AM
Those are Navajo blankets called "Germantown", they were made in only a small area of the reservation by a small number of weavers. They got their name because the local trading post did business with a yarn mill in Germantown Penna., and that yarn was used in the blankets. Off hand, I can't remember what inspired the fringe, but it is unique, and not typical of Navajo weaving. The leather trim on yours gives it away as a factory made saddleblanket.
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Fue por lana y salió trasquilado...
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CBlev65252
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posted on June 22, 2005 05:48:23 AM
Thanks, Prof. It was my brother's (he passed on) so I've no intention of getting rid of it anyway. I think I'll hang it on the wall. The stitching holding the leather in place is not uniform at all that's why I didn't think it was factory made.
Cheryl
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buyhigh
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posted on June 22, 2005 12:33:42 PM
They have been making hand woven rugs in the state of Oaxaca Mexico using Navajo designs for quite a number of years - using cotton for the warp. The Navajos always use wool. They use horizontal looms instead of the vertical ones that the Navajos use- hence the fringes. Also the wool is somewhat greasy compared to the wool the Navajos use. Leather trim can be added afterwards - by the owner of the blanket if he/she feels it will prong it's life.
buyhigh
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CBlev65252
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posted on June 22, 2005 12:47:06 PM
buyhigh
Thanks. Everything is wool including the fringe. The fringe is actually not part of the weaving at all. Almost looks like an afterthought, IMO. It's not really coming off the red, but off the next line of dark gray. Anyway, I like it.
Cheryl
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fenix03
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posted on June 22, 2005 01:19:12 PM
::They have been making hand woven rugs in the state of Oaxaca Mexico using Navajo designs for quite a number of years::
See - this is why I need to spend more time exploring. the only thing I think of when I think of Oaxaca is the wooden alebrijes and an entire population that must have beendriven insane by now painting all those little cells 
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
- Ann Coulter
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buyhigh
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posted on June 22, 2005 01:35:33 PM
Fringe on Mexican rugs/blankets is actually part of the warp as it is in Oriental rugs.. The one with the thick fringes of many colors had to be added since each warp is a single strand usually only a single color. The Navajo finish off the ends with a looping stitch so the fringe (warp) does not show although on cheaper Gallup throws they frequently leave one end unfinished. Hope I am not confusing you. Check to see if there are mutiple strands on the other ends running longitudinally - like 5 which give a rolled appearance. This is a dead givaway that the rug is Mexican.
buyhigh
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buyhigh
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posted on June 22, 2005 01:53:02 PM
They have been weaving rugs in Oaxaca far longer than they have been making alebrijes. However believe it was an American who years ago brought Navajo designs down and had them copy them. All the curio stores sold them since they were real cheap compared to a genuine Navajo rug. Actually Navajo designs were non exact copies of Middle Eastern rug designs introduced by traders in the S.W. who knew the rugs would sell since tourists were familar with these. Navajos didn't use rugs themselves but did make woven blankets for their own use - using stripes as a design.
buyhigh
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fenix03
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posted on June 22, 2005 02:09:21 PM
So in otherwords, we need to find an original style for the artisans of Oaxaca. They did the same thing with the alebrijes.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
- Ann Coulter
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CBlev65252
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posted on June 22, 2005 02:28:53 PM
buyhigh
Yes, I am confused. The ends are turned over and the leather is used as sort of a way to hem it. That's the only way I can describe it. Here's a closer picture.
Leather side:
Other side:
I will say this, I feel sorry for any horse that ever had to have this on its back. It's very heavy, hot and scratchy! But then, I'm allergic to wool
Cheryl
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buyhigh
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posted on June 22, 2005 05:33:14 PM
The tassels ( fringes) and leather binding were obviously added by someone other than the weaver. The tassels on both rugs obviously are not made from the same type wool as the rug. Actually it is hard to tell much about any rug by photo One needs to have it in their hands and feel it.
buyhigh
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profe51
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posted on June 22, 2005 09:52:47 PM
Like I said, I've got a barn full of them, (along with a house full of 200 years worth of Navajo and Mexican weaving)...each one comes with it's own horse sweat. 40 bucks a pop or two for 60, how many do you want?
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Fue por lana y salió trasquilado...
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CBlev65252
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posted on June 23, 2005 03:35:18 AM
prof
I said I wasn't interested in selling it at least not now. It's sentimental or it's value is not of importance. I was just interested in knowing what it was since we don't have too many horses here in Cleveland.
BTW - I think that Mexican art for the most part is highly under valued. I have some gorgeous objects from Mexico that aren't worth anything, but they sure are pretty to look at.
Cheryl
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buyhigh
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posted on June 23, 2005 09:02:54 AM
Agree that Mexican folk art is highly undervalued but I think that is because the wage scale is so very low in that country and so much is being made.. The silver jewelry can be beautiful but only the work by name smiths ( deceased) who have been publicized in books bring high prices. Masks that have been used in festivals do quite well though.
buyhigh
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buyhigh
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posted on June 23, 2005 09:09:11 AM
To profe51 You couldn't be selling Navajo rugs for $40.00 or 2 for $60. Those rugs bring real good prices on Ebay even with a few moth holes and runs. Admit saddle blankets( single or double ) bring a bit less but still-
buyhigh
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fenix03
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posted on June 23, 2005 10:09:56 AM
Buy - I think that Prof is referring to the Mexican saddle blankets. See his first post where he states that this is the type of blanket that can be found at any good feed or saddle shop for $39.95. 
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
- Ann Coulter
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