Navajo Weaving, 1900's Germantown Sampler, C005375

Navajo weaving Germantown Sampler from 1900's. Beginning in the 1870’s, many trading post owners on the Navajo reservation began to provide commercial yarns to the weavers they worked with on a regular basis. Traders looked at these plied yarns that came from Eastern woolen mills, principally the ones around Germantown, Pennsylvania, in different ways. Some traders encouraged their better weavers to use these commercial yarns as they created sharp and bold designs. Also, because the best weavers’ rugs sold quickly, it was a good way to speed up production rather than wait for a woman to shear, card and hand spin the wool for her rugs. Most of these pieces were also woven on a cotton warp which lowered costs in addition to being fast. They came in bright bold colors and the customers liked them. Measures 20.5 by 20.5 inches.