- Click on photo to go to description.
Double Saddle Blankets.
When the Spaniards first brought the horse into the southwest, the native peoples soon acquired both an interest and genuine natural professionalism toward these animals. Within a short time the native peoples had horses and the skill to use them to their full advantage.
With the advent of saddles the Indian weavers turned to their looms and began producing a new type of blanket. These double saddle blankets were made longer than wider in order to be folded in half and placed as a soft padding between the horse and the saddle. Because the central areas of the blankets were covered by the saddles, there was generally a lack of design. When folded under a saddle only the edges were visible.
These "blankets" are still woven today and are highly sought after because of their beauty and high quality. These are truly the last of the Indian blankets still being made. The following examples of saddle blankets from the Dave B. collection show the variety of styles and changes seen over the years. Older saddle blankets are hard to find in the market because they were the true working weavings of the Indians and the ranchers that purchased them. Many wonderful blankets were well used and then discarded.
Simple Twill Double Saddle Blanket. Circa: 1860-1870
This is the oldest weaving in the Dave B. collection. The history of this blanket is well known by the family that gave it to me. They have asked that I not use their name when talking about this blanket.
The Story:
This saddle blanket was purchased in New York City in 1870-1871. It was used under the
owner’s saddle for the entire journey west to Colorado. The settler and his family
built a ranch near the Denver area and this blanket was hung on a nail in the tack house
with a note that said, "Ridden from New York to Colorado Territory by -------,
1871". When the property was sold this rug went to the original owner’s great
granddaughter. She did not have an interest in Indian things. She gave me this and a few
other items to keep and to enjoy. When I received this blanket it had a large 5" hole
in one end and the edges were very worn with missing areas due to wear by saddle straps. I
had this damage repaired by a very good textile restoration professional. Her repair was
perfect.
- When you are collecting and are looking for information about an item from its owner, it is difficult to tell if the story of their items history is correct or if it is just a story that has changed and grown with time and retelling. For example, many items I have purchased from people have had wonderful stories behind them. I was later able to discount the given history because of discrepancies in time of manufacture. Be sure to record any story told by the person you purchase an item from but always be suspect until you can find further information that could help prove the story or at least give weight to its further belief.
In order to determine if there was further evidence to help improve the probability of this blanket’s story, I went to a very knowledgeable textile expert. This blanket was examined by Dr. Joe Ben Wheat, professor emeritus, (University of Colorado) at his home. As always, Dr. Wheat was a spring of information that confirmed the general age of this weaving. I also learned that the red, very soft wool was re-spun from red flannel trade cloth with cochineal dye. There are two stripes of blue wool that are dyed with indigo and the warp cords (the foundation that the colored wool is built on) is made of black wool. Each of these details point to a very early weaving from the 1860’s.
Because of this further research into this weaving I can give much more credit to this saddle blanket’s story. Remember, study, study, study is the best advice anyone can give a collector to guarantee success in putting together a good and historically accurate collection. Top of Page
Double Saddle Blanket with multiple twill styles. Circa:1880
This double saddle blanket is a unique example of a weaving incorporating many different wool's and styles of weaving. The main base of the blanket is a hand spun gray to brown carded wool with a very unique style of running twill weaving. This weaving was shown to Professor Joe Ben Wheat and he told me that he had recorded only one other blanket that had this style of twill weaving. There are other wool's in this weaving that are notable. The orange and the green wool in the center and along the ends are commercial Germantown three ply yarn.
Close up view of twill types.
This saddle blanket shows traditional wear patterns associated with its use as a saddle blanket. The edges are worn and the side selvages are missing in many places.
- In order to help keep a weaving in the best possible shape, take time to stabilize any loose or torn edges. On the blanket above I have stitched a white fishnet cloth along the damaged edges to keep them from any further damage. I have tried to have this blanket restored but because of its very unique weaving style, I have not found any weaver who can figure out the proper way to re-weave the edges.
The wide open, un-decorated fields in the center of this blanket are anything but dull. Closer inspection of the pattern in this weaving show the use of a lost twill art and the artistic energy that went into this blanket. Even the seemingly simple is truly the most complex in this textile. As a foot note I should tell you that this saddle blanket was found in a used book store and I paid only $ 75.00 for it. The book store owner said its low cost was because of the wear and damage on the edges. Top of Page
Double Saddle Blankets, Circa:1930-1940
A. Here is an example of a bordered saddle blanket
with two wide open fields in the center. The center line generally gives a visual folding
line for use under a saddle. This is a common saddle style which is still being produced
today. All are hand spun wool.
B. This blanket serves as a double pattern saddle blanket. By folding this weaving the horseman can change the design that shows beneath the saddle thus giving more design variety when riding. The wool in this blanket is all hand spun with possible commercial dye in the orange. Top of Page
The "Fancy or Sunday" Saddle blanket. Circa: 1940-1960
Showing off one’s horses and displaying the best of one’s weaving skill was not lost on the native horseman. There were times during gatherings and parades that the riders would want to be noticed both for style and quality in horsemanship. To this end the Fancy or Sunday saddle blanket was produced. These weavings stand out by their much more elaborate designs and the placement of tassels at each corner. I have seen some of these blankets with tassels that are over 1 foot long.
The above blanket is a very unique example of a Fancy saddle blanket. The pattern is a variety form of the classic third phase chief wearing blanket seen in the late 1800’s. This resemblance is also carried over into the actual construction of this weaving. Most saddle blankets are woven on a warp which runs lengthwise through the weaving. This warp is the stable foundation on which the colored and patterned wool or "weft" is built on. In the older Chief wearing blankets seen in the early days of Navajo weaving, the warps were strung in the short direction. This saddle blanket is also laid out in the old style of the short warp system. This is the only saddle blanket of this type of construction I have seen, although I am sure there are many more like it out there.
I traded a 1960’s Hopi Maiden Shawl and $200.00 cash for this blanket from an antique painting dealer who happened to have a collection of weavings in his attic
Simple Striped Double saddle Blanket. Circa:1940-1950
50" x 32"
This blanket harks back to the simple striped patterns of the old wearing blankets . The wool in this double saddle blanket is all hand spun and has a wonderful light-brown color throughout. The orange color in the stripes has bled into the cream bands possibly carried by the moisture generated between the saddle and the sweat of the horse. This is only speculation, but sometimes looking at condition and change in a weaving can produce a wonderful connection with a blanket that allows you to "visit" it in the history of your mind. Top of Page
The Kitchen Sink Double saddle Blanket. Circa 1950-1960
52"x32"
I call this weaving the "Kitchen Sink" double saddle blanket for my own reasons. There are so many different types of commercial wool's, hand spun natural wool's, lazy line constructions and tapestry weaves that I get the feeling this weaving was made from the scraps of wool left over from many weavings. Her use of color and weaving style makes this one of my favorite weavings. This is my own interpretation and I by no means do I think this weaving is in any way an inferior weaving. In fact this is a true gem in the conservation of materials that we could all respect. Top of Page
For further information on the art and history of double saddle blankets, you can order a fine book on the subject by Joshua Baer & Company:
THE LAST BLANKETS
Navajo
Double Saddle
Blankets
1880-1910
Joshua Baer & Company
116 ½ East Palace Avenue
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
505-988-8944