Two Grey Hills rug, Julia Jumbo

Episode 248 Jan-2012, Patrick Musick I’m David Cateforis with another Art Minute from the Spencer Museum of Art. A rug woven around 1960 by the New Mexican Navajo Julia Jumbo features an intricate and symmetrical geometric design, created without the use of a pattern. Jumbo’s weaving beautifully displays the Two Gray Hills regional style, in which the muted browns, grays, and whites all derive from the natural colors of the sheep’s fleece. Generally, the modern Navajo employ commercially produced yarns, but there exist highly prized weavings that use home-grown wool and natural dyes. Formed on a loom, Jumbo’s weaving has no loose ends, fringe, or any weak points on its closed edges, known as selvages. Thus it would wear very well if actually used. The Navajo believe that the gift of weaving was brought to them by the Spider Woman. Navajo weaving is documented as early as 1650 but few examples survive from before the 19th century, which saw the production of the chief’s blankets highly prized by collectors. The Navajo only began weaving extensively for sale to the public at the turn of the 20th century, encouraged to do so by the Indian agents on the reservation. With thanks to Patrick Musick for his text, from the Spencer Museum of Art, I’m David Cateforis.