Navajo textiles on view in museum’s North American Indian gallery

An exhibition of traditional, hand-made wool blankets from the Navajo nation, is currently on display at the Reading Public Museum.

Six varied examples from the middle of the nineteenth through the early decades of the twentieth century, including saddle blankets and an impressive third- phase Chief’s Blanket (post 1860s), are on display. The assemblage of exceptional works also includes fine examples of silver and turquoise jewelry — bracelets and necklaces (squash blossom and crescent pendant) — from the early twentieth century, most which were collected during visits to Shiprock, in northwest New Mexico, the Navajo reservation, in the early 1940s. The grouping also includes an early, hand-tooled concho belt made of silver and hide, and a wooden weaving fork, which was used to make the impressive Navajo weavings.

Navajo blankets, with their bold patterns, rich colors, and finely woven techniques, were initially utilitarian objects (cloaks, wraps, and saddle blankets), but eventually became highly sought after and prized trade items in the West. Curator Scott Schweigert remarked that since “the blankets are not often on view, due to their fragile nature—easily fading if left for too long in strong light—we hope visitors to come to see them during this special exhibition.” The works will be on view through the end of January, 2017.

The Reading Public Museum located at 500 Museum Road, Reading.

Admission per day is: $10 adults (18-64), $6 children/ seniors/college students (w/ ID) and free to Members and children three years old and under. The Museum is open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Web: www.readingpublicmuseum.org

PHOTO COURTESY OF READING PUBLIC MUSEUM

The Reading Public Museum is currently offering an exhibition of traditional, hand-made wool blankets from the Navajo nation, drawn from its permanent collection.