Navaho Weaving: Its Technic And History

by Charles A. Amsden

Book Overview

Navaho Weaving: Its Technic And History is a comprehensive guide to the traditional weaving techniques and history of the Navajo people. Authored by Charles Avery Amsden, a noted anthropologist and expert on Navajo culture, the book explores the intricate processes involved in creating Navajo rugs and blankets, including the use of wool, dyes, and looms. The book also delves into the cultural significance of Navajo weaving, tracing its origins and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1163192171
• ISBN13: 9781163192177
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 420 Pages
• Weight: 1.23 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Contents

navajo weaving its technic and its history charles a amsden FIRST SOFTCOVER EDITION 1990 Detailed and comprehensive study of the techniques of primitive weaving, from the building of the loom with materials at hand to the cleaning, carding and handling the raw wool from the sheared sheep It is a remarkable accounting of a primitive people developing a most sophisticated skill. At the time this book was first published in 1934, no non-Navajo Indian or Whiteman had ever developed the ability so beautifully displayed in this extraordinary art form. No book has ever so carefully described this most ancient of crafts. Heavily illustrated. 7 color plates of masterpieces. Bibliography. Index. 460 pages.

Historic Details of Navaho Textiles

A must for any Navajo textile collector for its rich detail and painstaking description of techniques plus a valuable history of Navaho weaving. First published in 1934,this book would be a rare find if it were a First Edition or even hard cover of the second printing. Navaho Weaving - Its Technic and Its History (sic)features 261 pp. of text, 123 pp. of illustrations including photos and renderings of over 100 blankets with a large fold-out color illustration of an old Chief White Antelope Blanket that is eight times larger than the book and colored magnificently. Printed from 14 handcut rubber blocks, this blanket's design is breathtaking. The author, Charles Avery Amsden served as curator of The Southwest Museum and secretary and treasurer until he died in 1941. This book represents years of in-depth research written in amazing detail. If you can find an affordable (around $50 as of 2005) second printing (circa 1969) perhaps even a library binding edition, you will still receive the book's First Edition effect of a stunning and rich reference tome. The paperback is a lesser version, as it has many of the illustrations shrunk, plus lacks the huge Saxony yard serape illustration.

For Collectors of Antique Navajo Weavings

Originally published in 1934, Amsden is considered the basic foundational text by authors writing on the history of Navajo blankets and rugs. While much new and helpful information has been written on Navajo weaving since then, most of these books used Amsden as original source material for much of their information. Pre-1940 Navajo blankets and rugs are among the most collectible artifacts in both the investment and art worlds today. Most all serious Indian art collectors, Native American Indian museum curators and related authors and academics will have a copy of this seminal work in their libraries.Other recommendations: (1)Photos of antique blankets : "Navajo Textiles" The William Randolph Hearst Collection" by Nancy Blomberg; and (2)"Navajo Weaving Tradition" by Kaufman and Selser is one of the few "in print" books with and overview of the history of Navajo weaving. There is always a need for many more books in this area as so many titles are short run or specialty press issues. (Periodicals: (3) American Indian Art magazine with offices in Scottsdale, AZ publishes a quarterly and often features articles on early weavings.)(Regarding other critiques of this book ; this is much more a book for collectors and investors and those interested in identifying and understanding the history and development of Navajo weavings and is not a "how to" book for those wishing to "learn to weave". Hobbyist shops have plenty of the latter available.)