1947.4.32B

Collection type

Object

Description

'Squaw belt' of fine weave. Red with two green stripes, white edging and design in centre. Aniline dyes. Collector's No. 28.

Geographical reference

United States of America

Northern America > North America > United States of America

Navajo Reservation

Cultural groups

Navajo

Person

Field collector Maria Chabot

PRM source Maria Chabot

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1940

Date collected

1940

Acquisition information

Purchased: 1940

Materials and processes

Material Wool Textile Animal, Process Woven

Dimensions

Width: max 105 mm, Length: max 2300 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1947.4.32B Other numbers: Collector's No. 28. Other PRM accession number: 1947.4.B 32

Research and responses

Related Documents File - Letter from collector to Beatrice Blackwood, dated 21 July 1940: 'The trip to Navajo country (3,000 miles) was most interesting - depressing - illluminating. I spent almost two months on the reservation, made copious notes, and have since been busy putting together a report for the Indian Association. Just today is the report finished, and I have had a chance to open up your box and check through and label the articles I collected fro you. Dorothy Stewart refunded me $200.00 - the amount spent in making your collection. I believe you have already communication with her about that. I have provided her with a duplicate list of the goods. Mrs. Van Stone has very graciously provided storage space in the basement of her museum for all the articles. The blanket collection has been thoroughly moth-proofed, sealed in an air-tight carton and strongly crated. It is clearly marked with the name and address of your museum. Every article is tagged with a number corresponding to its number on this list. Similarly, the silver has been labeled, wrapped, boxed and stored with Mrs. Van Stone. She is putting them with other articles you have stored there. Now about the specimens: The saddle-blanket collection is fairly good. I believe it is as good as can be obtained on the reservation either now or in the future. Almost no saddle blankets are being woven. At some future time, when you have the resources, you can fill out the collection with missing designs or periods. However, saddle blankets held by collectors are expensive. I know of no museum in this country that has or is collecting these contemporary designs, however several individuals are. The weaving tools are particularly good examples I thnk. I was fortunate in obtaining the child's samples (#21). ... I will write you more in detail about the trip itself. ... I was in over 150 hogans - most of them keeping me for long hours of discussion. ...'

Included: 'Specimens of Navajo weaving, weaving tools, etc. purchased for Oxford University Museum, June 1940. Stored until further notice at the New Museum c/o Mrs. Bertha Van Stone, Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A. ...' and 'Specimens of Navajo silver-smithing purchased for Oxford University Museum, June 1940; stored until further notice at the New Musem c/o Mrs. Bertha Van Stone; Santa Fe, N.M.' [Carbon copy of latter also in file.]

Photocopy of 'From Indian Fair to Indian Market', by Bruce Bernstein, in El Palacio, Magazine of the Museum of New Mexico, Vol 98, Number 3.

Photocopy of Urgent Navajo Problems: Observations and Recommendations Based on a Recent Study by the New Mexico Association on Indian Affairs, published in Santa Fe, August 1940.

Pamphlet entitled Coronado: Cuarto Centnnial 1540 - 1940.

Many related papers and notes without identifying numbers or references. [MOB 15/1/2002]

Search terms: Clothing, Ornament, Belt, Waist Ornament