A Navajo sandpainting weaving
Mid/Late 20th century; Dine
Woven in dark brown, cream, red, blue and yellow wool, with three standing Yei figures surrounded by a Rainbow God, possibly depicting "Nightway Chant" imagery in a sandpainting style
21.75" H x 23.5" W

Notes: Considered a master weaver, Ruby Manuelito is part of an important family of Navajo master weavers. She was the daughter of Master Weaver Frances Manuelito and the granddaughter of Master Weaver Blind Man's Wife, who was regarded as a true pioneer in the evolving designs of early, regional Navajo rugs. Ruby was also the daughter-in-law of Gladys Manuelito, or "Mrs. Sam", who, as the niece of weaver Hastiin Klah, studied his weaving techniques and designs. In the early 1900s, Klah, also a Navajo Medicine Man, was one of the first weavers to depict imagery from the Yei Bi Chei dance and other representations of Navajo religion including sandpainting imagery, in a permanent form as a weaving in wool.

Overall good condition with dust accumulation and typical signs of wear commensurate with age and use. Scattered areas of minor moth grazing. Not examined out of frame.

Mounted and framed under Plexiglas: 29.75" H x 30.5" W x