Authentic Old and New Navajo Rugs, Weavings, Saddle Blankets

Chief Blankets

Just as the Hopi are the best artisans for basketry and kachinas, the Navajos are the best tribe for woven blankets and rugs. The Navajo began to produce what are called chief blankets--red, white, blue and black blankets. The Navajo, like all Apacheans, did not have what could be thought of as "chiefs", but these blankets were made for the chiefs of Plains tribes, traded for the metal (then copper) fasteners of Plains buckskin leggings, which Navajos, with their usual inventiveness and a little influence from Mexicans, soon used to make concho belts and other metal jewelry.