In 2019 Jen Shannon, CU Museum’s Curator of Cultural Anthropology, commissioned a replica of a Navajo First Phase Chief's Blanket for the collection—a modern artwork that was created using traditional materials (Churro wool and indigo), equipment and techniques.
Chief’s-style blankets were not used as bedding or rugs for the floor, they were worn over the shoulders. These versatile textiles could be worn in ceremony, as a warm jacket, or for sleeping on. “First phase” refers to the earliest of these kinds of blankets, from the early to mid-1800s, with simple bands of color. Three more phases of increasingly elaborate Chief’s Blankets followed.
“Chief’s Blanket” refers to who wore these weavings, beyond the Diné, or Navajos, themselves. The Diné did not have chiefs, but the Ute, Cheyenne, and Plains tribes who traded for these blankets did. Navajo weavers had a reputation for fine, high quality work. The weaving was so tight that the blankets were practically waterproof and so expensive that only wealthy, high status people could afford them. These blankets were highly prized and worn by tribal leaders, especially by the Ute to the north. Sometimes First Phase blankets are also called Ute-style for this reason.
The weaver of this piece, Bertha Harvey, was very excited to know that it would be in our museum, and we were equally excited to include it in our famous Navajo textile collection! Thanks to Jackson Clark for connecting us to Bertha. He provides some additional information about Bertha (right) and her sister, Charlene, (left): “Bertha has been weaving since the mid-1960’s. In the mornings she is the pastry chef at the Quality Inn in Window Rock, going to work at 5 in the morning. She gets home about noon and usually weaves later in the afternoon when it cools down.” Her sister, Charlene, is also a weaver. The purchase of this textile helped fund Bertha’s nephew’s wedding—what a wonderful way for our museum to be connected with this family and celebrate the traditions and contemporary lives of Navajo weavers!
Catalog Number: 2019.07
Title: Replica First-Phase Chief's Blanket
Artist: Bertha Harvey
Date: 2019
Culture of Manufacture: Diné (Navajo)