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Moqui-Style Sarape

A work made of wool, single interlocking tapestry weave; two selvages present.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of wool, single interlocking tapestry weave; two selvages present.

Date:

c. 1870

Artist:

Navajo (Diné)
Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah, United States

About this artwork

The Spanish-derived word sarape is used to identify blankets made throughout the greater Southwest and Mexico that are longe then they are wide and traditionally are worn around the shoulders like a shawl. This exceptionally fine example displays many attributes associated with classic Navajo textiles, including its traditional tapestry weave, the augmented tassels placed at the corners, and the twining that appears along the edges. The design is based upon Moki-style textiles, which were typically woven with alternating blue-and-brown lines often accented with additional bands of white. Although the name given to this style derives from the Spanish term for the Hopi (Moki or Moqui), these patterns found favor among Pueblo and Navajo weavers and are one of the oldest designs that appear in Navajo textiles. Demonstrating the creativity and cultural identity of the artist, this sarape blends Moki design traits with a distinctly Navajo signature—that of bold crimson banding superimposed over the subtle striping.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Textiles

Culture

Navajo (Diné)

Title

Moqui-Style Sarape

Place

Navajo (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1865–1875

Medium

Wool, single interlocking tapestry weave; two selvages present

Dimensions

174 × 132.2 cm (68 1/2 × 52 in.)

Credit Line

Through prior acquisitions of Louis A. Allen, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Alsdorf, The Alsdorf Foundation, Joseph P. Antonow, Edward E. Ayer in memory of Charles L. Hutchinson, Herbert Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Dave Chapman, Sylvia Coppersmith in memory of Leila Rosen, Mrs. Eugene A. Davidson, Domenic DiPiero, Maurice D. Galleher Endowment, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin E. Hokin, Mrs. Maurice H. Mandelbaum as a gift of her family, Mr. and Mrs. Everett McNear; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Newbury, Dr. H. Van de Waal, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Wielgus and Suzette Morton Zurcher

Reference Number

1997.458

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/148331/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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