Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2013-0003-0027   CAS 2013-0003-0027; Rug
Category Textiles
Object Name Rug
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County Apache
Other Geographic Data Navajo Indian Reservation; Community: Kinlichee
Maker's Name Sadie Curtis (b. ca. 1930)
Date of Manufacture 1979
Collection Name N/A
Materials Warp: Single ply handspun natural wool; Weft: Single ply handspun natural and dyed wool; Aniline dyes (black and red)
Description Rectangular rug woven entirely in plain weft-faced tapestry technique with interlocking joins; Borderless, banded design replicates an historic 19th Century wearing blanket and includes four black bands alternating with 3 red bands, with an additional narrow red band at each end; Each black band has a narrow red and black band woven in the beading technique extending across its center, while the two red bands nearest the ends each contain motif of paired white terraced triangles outlined in black with attached rectilinear spirals, the entire motif repeated three times; The red band across the center of the rug contains a terraced black zigzag line; Selvage and end cords are red and are braided together at each corner. Sadie Curtis is the sister of Elsie Wilson and Mae Jim, and the aunt of Ruby Wilson Hubbard, also well known weavers; Mae Jim and Rub Hubbard’s works are also represented in the CAS Navajo textile collection.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 91.6, Length = 153.3