Navajo Blankets have been popular American art for hundreds of years. Adapted from the Pueblo weaving craft at a time in the 17th century when many Pueblos sought protection from the Spanish by joining Navajo, the Navajo have created coveted art ever since. While much of the Navajo blankets we see today have intricate designs and deep colors of red, the original navajo blankets were quite simple, consisting of straight patterns of alternating colors. The colors tended to be earth tones and blank.
Among the most sought after Navajo blankets are the Chief’s First Phase Blanket. So, when one of these was brought onto the Antique Roadshow, the collector almost fell over. You’ll have to watch the video to see how much it is worth. But the part of the story that really gets me is that this family has been a hard working farming family without much money. All the while they had no idea of their hidden wealth. This valuable Navajo Blanket was passed from generation to generation, finally ending up simply being laid over a chair back.