This is an original Navajo Double Saddle Blanket from circa 1890-1900’s accompanied with a signed 1991 letter from Keith Guard of Guard Navajo Rugs Las Cruses, New Mexico. The rug exhibits an early, genuine Navajo vertical loom double saddle blanket woven of single strand handspun natural wool (noted as such by Guard), the spinning is coarse, but regular, at about 20 weft threads per inch (__). The blanket shows vegetal brown (likely Mountain Mahogany), natural blended grey, natural white and aniline dyed red and black. The side selvedges are bound and the pattern are very well executed. The piece shows a bold pattern for a double saddle blanket shows an eye dazzler like stepped diamond corner pattern, banding throughout, a stepped diamond alternating color center band and repeating bottom half, typical of double saddle blankets. The piece shows lazy lines throughout and is well kept with some small soiling. Provenance: The rug comes with an original early vintage polaroid photograph and 1991 dated certificate from Guard’s Navajo Rugs in Las Cruses, New Mexico signed by Keith Guard. Appraised on September 7th, 1991 for $350, a large sum for such a rug at the time. Measures overall 53-inches by 32-inches.