Chinle

Horizontal Banded Designs

Chinle is a settlement at the mouth of the majestic Canyon de Chelly, located in the central eastern part of Navajo Nation. The first trading post in Chinle was established in 1885 by partners Lorenzo Hubble and C.N. Cotton. The trading post changed hands several times over the years without any significant changes in the type of rugs that the local weavers were producing. The common rug style of the time was similar to what was woven in the Ganado area, bordered geometric designs with bright aniline colors. That changed after the post was purchased in 1925 by Leon H. “Cozy” McSparron and his wife Inja.  

The McSparrons were contacted by Mary Cabot Wheelwright a patron of Native American Art and the founder of the Museum of Navajo Ceremonial Art (now the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico). Miss Wheelwright didn’t like the harsh aniline colors and oriental designs that were common in the Navajo rugs of that period. She wanted to encourage a return to the classic blanket designs of the mid 19th century and to a softer palette of natural dye colors. The McSparrons agreed with Miss Wheelwright and in the 1930’s started what would become known as the “Chinle Revival” style of Navajo rug weaving. They encouraged the weavers to weave a horizontal banded design using natural vegetal dyes. The style became very popular and led to similar styles developing in the Crystal and Wide Ruins areas of the reservation.