Western Reservation

Innovation is not the byword in weaving of the western reservation, prevailing styles date back 100 years. The best known pattern of this area is the Tuba City Storm, (woven at other places besides Tuba City). The Storm rug is distinguished by its design, not colors. No style has attracted more contradictory lore. The design is said to contain the Navajo symbolism for a storm, but it is also believed that a trader in Tuba City developed and promoted it among local weavers. Then again, J. B. Moore was showing this design in his catalog, The Navajo, in 1911.

Another rug common to this area is the saddle blanket. Cowboys and horsemen of all types have been using these rugs on their horses for generations. Currently, saddle blankets are the only weaving done for utility--with the exception of a few sashes worn by Navajo women under their concho belts to protect their velveteen blouses. The saddle blankets we are showing come from Shonto, a picturesque stone trading post. Shonto is located in a remote dale off of the highway between Page and Kayenta, Arizona and accessible only by a rough dirt road. The size of a saddle blanket is pretty standard, about 30 inches square. The double saddle is roughly 30 inches by 60 inches.