Native American Navajo Rug--Saddle Blanket with Horned Toad

Description

Vintage Native American Navajo Saddle Blanket with Horned Toad by unknown Navajo weaver

This small and beautifully woven saddle blanket featuring a horned toad, prayer feathers and lightning was woven by an unknown Navajo weaver. These smaller pieces were made for a couple of reasons. First, to get the pattern correct before the weaver invested time and materials into a full-size piece, and on the practical side, as weavings that would go underneath a saddle on a horse to keep the horse comfortable when he had a rider. For the Navajo, the horned toad is called Cheii or Grandfather. He represents longevity and self-reliance.