By Donna Baldwin

With the Prescott Indian Art Market (PIAM) coming up, it is interesting to look at the evolution of Navajo weaving, which will be one of the art forms at the Market.

Navajo weaving has been documented as early as the 1700s. They used upright looms with no moving parts and wool produced by their own Navajo-Churro sheep. The unprocessed wool retained lanolin, which repelled water. Early weavings included cloaks, dresses, saddle blankets and covers for door entrances. Prior to the 19^th century, weavings primarily used natural dyes in shades of brown, gray and white.