Toadlena Trading Post

The Master Weavers details many of the best textiles, their weavers and families of the Toadlena/Two Grey Hills region since its beginnings in the early 20th century. It is 608 pages, contains 250 color plates, over 450 historic and contemporary photographs and 23 extensive genealogies of 87 Master Weavers including 2 Legendary Master Weavers, Daisy Taugelchee and Bessie Manygoats.

Published in 2011, The Master Weavers is now a standard for excellence in research of Navajo weavings and culture.

This rug measures 23" x 45" by Master Weaver Marie Lapahie. She frequently weaves more expensive tapestries so the piece offers a good opportunity to acquire one of Marie's fine weavings a price lower than that of a tapestry.

This rug measures 36" x 57", excellent condition, by Master Weaver Evelyn George.

This rug displays the simple elegance that it Evelyn at her best. It was woven 6 years ago and came back around to us. We are thrilled to see it again!

Several years ago the Post began encouraging the weavers to weave "runners" to supply an under attended demand. It took them a while to accommodate the new configuration. This piece by Daisy Shorty is one of the finest we have seen.

Daisy, her Clan and this specific piece appear in Chapter 5:19, p. 478. This runner is on p. 493, Plate 218.

This sandpainting rug measures 60" x 61", all natural, hand-spun yarn by Master Weaver Mary Ann Foster.

Master Weaver Mary Ann Foster belongs in the elite group of Navajo sandpainting weavers. This includes Haastin Klah, Gladys Manuelito (Mrs. Sam), Mrs. King Tut and more.

Mary Ann has faithfully rendered traditional Navajo sandpainting images and her own creations. This creation by Mary Ann features a central corn stalk, the Navajo Tree of Life, flanked by two Humpback Fringe Mouth Yeis. The accoutrements and other elements are common to Navajo sandpaintings. The Toadlena Trading Post always looks forward to pieces by these living treasures.

Mary Ann and her Clan appear in Chapter 5:5, p. 200 of "The Master Weavers."

Woven by Master Weaver Nora Manygoats, Hooghan lani clan of Little Water, who is the niece of legendary Master Weaver Bessie Manygoats. It is a good-sized masterpiece textile with nine shades of handspun wool yarn from her fine flock of sheep, done in the light tones typical of the families work.

This piece measures 26" x 30", hand-spun yarn, 6 colors, natural white and brown, all other colors are hand-dyed aniline, c. 1980's, excellent condition.

Master Weaver Ruby Manuelito was the daughter of Master Weaver Frances Manuelito and the granddaughter of Master Weaver Blind Man's Wife. Blind Man's Wife was a true pioneer in the evolving designs of early, regional Navajo rugs. Thus, were Ruby's feet placed on her own artistic journey by these earliest influences. Ruby married Ira Manuelito and became the daughter-in-law of Gladys Manuelito, "Mrs. Sam", the niece of Hastiin Klah. Klah was the first Navajo Medicine Man to render a Sandpainting image in a permanent form, woven wool. She learned the Sandpainting images forms from Gladys as Gladys learned them from Klah, putting her very near the epicenter of Sandpainting weaving.

This piece bears images of the Navajo Holy People from the same Nightway Chant image woven by Ruby that appears on p. 228, Plate 71 of "The Master Weavers" by Mark Winter. It has 68-74 wefts per inch and 14 warps per inch.

Ruby's finely woven sandpainting are difficult to find and highly prized. We hope you enjoy this treasured piece of Navajo mythology as much as we do!

This rug measures 24" x 75".

The Toadlena Post has encouraged the weavers to produce runners. The long, skinny configuration was a challenge for some for a while. Here is evidence that Barbara has adapted very well!

SOLD
This piece measures 25" x 45" with 9 colors by Master Weaver Salina Dale.

Salina brought this piece in the weekend of "Eye on the Storm." It is always a thrill to a new piece!

Salina Dale is the best colorist we have seen. This piece features her distinctive blue/grey and gold yarn. The border has looping, inter-locking claws. She orchestrates her lighter and darker colors to accent various elements of the double diamond layout.

A new piece by any of the Maser Weavers is a treat!

Woven by Lovita Etcitty, Tachini i clan of Sanostee, who is the oldest daughter of Master Weaver Esther Etcitty, the long-time weaver of rugs containing images of Anasazi and Navajo rock art. Lovita was slow to adopt her mother’s style but managed to do a small number of handspun masterpieces, such as this one, before she was killed by a hit and run driver in a crosswalk in downtown Farmington, NM.