Navajo Weaving: Three Centuries of Change (Studies in American Indian Art)

Dust jacket notes: "For some three hundred years, Navajo Indian weavers have borrowed techniques, materials, and design styles from their neighbors in the American Southwest. Yet they never merely copied, they creatively chose and modified traits to suit their own needs and tastes. They have been practical, too, always keeping an eye fixed on the marketplace and the changing preferences of the consumer. This book traces the history of Navajo weaving from about 1950, when loom processes were learned from the Pueblo Indians, to the present day of regional styles and commercial markets. It describes changes in yarns, dyes, designs, and types of textiles resulting from trade with Spanish-Americans, Mexicans, and finally Anglo-Americans. In a highly original conclusion, the author describes the cultural traits that allowed the Navajos to accept stylistic change to readily, and she searches for the elements native to Navajo aesthetic values. This is a fascinating account for anyone who has admired the beauty and technical skill that have given Navajo weaving its tremendous popularity."