American Indian Transitional Rug Exhibit, Circa 1880 - 1910

Time changes life for everyone, and that’s especially true for the Navajo. During the last part of 19th century, trading posts opened up and traditional life for the Navajo began to evolve rapidly; especially when it came to Navajo weavers. It was with the changes to wool, newly available dyes, and the transition from wearing blankets to floor rugs; that gave way to this “transitional” period and thus, Transitional Rugs were born. 

History of Transitional Rugs and Blankets
It began in the late 1870s that “transitional” blankets began to overtake the “late classic”  blanket. And within a few decades, the Transitional Rug began to copy those elements and share in their colors and designs. Larger and heavier than their counterparts, bordered Transitional Rug weavings began to evolve and the old classic banded-style of wearing blankets were nearly phased out altogether by the early 1900s.

Currently at the Gallery
We have filled the walls with some of our favorite Native American Transitional rugs and blankets.  The variety of styles, size and colors make Transitionals really interesting.  Below are photos from the gallery and a video in case you can't visit us while this exhibit is up.  Click on the photo or descriptions for more information on the piece and the pricing.

GHT 435, Crystal JB Moore, circa 1900, 40" x 74" - SOLD

PC 70, Transitional Two Grey Hills, Circa 1910-1920's, 49" x 80"

 

 

GHT 519, Transitional Crystal, circa 1900, 50" x 79"

 

 

GHT 598, Transitional Sampler, circa 1890-1910, 67" x 104"

 

GHT 874, Transitional JB Moore Crystal,  circa 1910,  51" x 100", 

 

GHT 1941, Transitional JB Moore Crystal, circa 1910, 50" x 76"

 

GHT 1950, Transitional, circa 1890's, 63" x 81" - SOLD

 

 

 

GHT 1983, Transitional Saddle Blanket, circa 1900, 32"

 

 

 

GHT 2008, Transitional Two Grey Hills, circa 1910, 63" x 84"

 

GHT 2152, Transitional Double Saddle Blanket, circa 1880, 33" x 54"

 

 
GHT 2193, Transitional, circa 1910, 50" x 81"

 

GHT 2206, Transitional Optical, circa 1900's, 46" x 76"

 

 

GHT 2209, Transitional, circa 1890, 45" x 85"

 

 

GHT 2210, Transitional, circa 1900, 33" x 65" - SOLD

 

 

GHT 2235, Ganado Transitional, circa 1890-1900, 92" x 74

 

 

GHT 2253, Transitional, circa 1890-1900, 40" x 64" - SOLD 

 

 

GHT 2254, Transitional Saddle Blanket, circa 1900, 34" x 60"