The major American Indian textile traditions in the Southwest are the Diné (Navajo) and Pueblo. The museum’s collection contains historic and contemporary textiles of both traditions that span several centuries.
Diné weavers have actively woven a wide variety of textiles for trade and sale. Along with rare shoulder blankets and sarapes with bold designs from the 19th century, the museum’s collection also contains excellent examples of the changes in weaving styles that span the 20th century and into the 21st century. This includes the mid-century decades of regionally based designs. Names of some of the regional styles include Two Grey Hills, Ganado, Crystal, Chinle, Teec Nos Pos, Wide Ruins and Burntwater. While these regional styles are still woven, Diné weavers continue to develop innovative, individual designs that display novel color combinations. Several major collections of these contemporary Diné textiles have been donated to the museum’s collection.
Pueblo textiles include embroidered kilts, robes and sashes associated with ceremony, and thus their designs have changed very little over time. The museum’s collection of Pueblo textiles includes excellent examples of historical Pueblo weaving, particularly Hopi textiles collected by the Fred Harvey Company. Contemporary Puebloan textiles continue to be woven and embroidered and are represented in the museum’s collection. Hopi weaver and textile designer Ramona Sakiestewa has donated original textiles, along with her archives, to the museum.
Textiles Collection Highlights
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Venancio Francis Aragon, Diné, b. 1985, Prism of Emotions, 2019. Gift of the Heard Museum Council, 4942-1 -
D. Y. Begay, Diné, b. 1953, Palette of Cochineal, 2013. Gift of the Heard Museum Council in honor of Werner Braum, the Max M. & Carol W. Sandfield Philanthropic Fund of the Dallas Jewish Community Foundation as recommended by Norman L. Sandfield, and the Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation at the recommendation of Diane & Bruce Halle and in honor of Harvey and Carol Ann Mackay, 4732-1 -
Artist once known, Diné, First Phase Chief Style Ute Blanket, 1800-1850. Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection, 196BL -
Artist once known, Diné, Second Phase Chief Style Blanket, 1865-1870. Gift of Al and Helen Wolfe, 4644-2 -
Artist once known, Diné, Germantown textile, 1880-1895. Gift of Larry and Cindy Greenhill, 4922-1 -
Artist once known, Diné, Wedge weave textile, 1880-1895. Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection, 187BL -
Artist once known, Acoma Pueblo, Manta, 1850-1860. Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection, 273BL -
Kevin Aspaas, Diné, b. 1995, Horned Toad and Lightning, 2022. Gift of Drs. William G. and Kathleen L. Howard, 5019-1 -
Barbara Teller Ornelas, Diné, b. 1954, Two Grey Hills tapestry, 1995. Santa Fe Collection of Navajo Rugs donated by Dr. Charles and Linda Rimmer, 4650-31 -
Marilou Schultz, Diné, b. 1954, Infusion: Contemporary Wearing Blanket, 2013. Gift of Mark and Julie Dalrymple, 4951-71 -
TahNibaa Naataanii, Diné, b. 1967, Early Classic Style Poncho, 2015. Gift of Drs. William G. and Kathleen L. Howard, 4834-1
