Textiles
The Navajo and Pueblo textile and clothing
collections are one of the largest and most comprehensive collections extant. They include
more than 900 pieces and span three centuries. The Pueblo collection consists of
embroidered mantas and dresses, kilts, shirts, breechcloths, woven belts, leggings, and
sashes.
The Navajo textile collection is especially strong in the quality and number of
mid-to-late nineteenth century blankets and dresses, other items of clothing, and late
nineteenth and early twentieth century floor rugs.
These textiles have been used by scholars to define Southwest Indian weaving traditions.
Kate Peck Kent's Pueblo Indian Textiles (SAR Press 1983) and Navajo Weaving (SAR Press 1985)
describe and interpret these important collections.
