This is a truly stunning 19th-century Navajo Germantown Child’s Blanket with Spider Woman Crosses from the ex-collection of Ted Tanen, Santa Monica, CA; a prominent Bozeman, MT collection and John Moran Auction. This Germantown weaving shows colors of red, black, and cream / white with three bands of Spider Woman crosses within larger crosses. The Spider Woman Cross is a symbol that was given to the earliest weavers to help them remember Spider Woman's teachings and wisdom. Although placement of the cross varies, it is considered dangerous to place the cross within a diamond or a square.
Provenance: The Collection of Ned Tanen, Santa Monica, CA; a prominent Bozeman, Montana collection; Authenticated and sold John Moran in March 2024 for $4,762.
The condition of this Navajo blanket is fair with some wear to the edge of the blanket but otherwise shows a fair overall condition for its age. Issues include, but not limited to: older repairs, fading to one side, a few scattered small stains and spots, scattered areas of loose weave, fraying to longer edges with scattered breaks to selvage cord, one shorter side with larger break and loss to stitching, and shorter edge with Velcro hook strip applied. The measurements of this rug is 57 x 34 1/2".