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 32" x 46". It was woven by Master Weaver Emily Watchman. Emily is a member of 3 generations of Master Weavers who include her Mother, Evelyn George, her sister, Dorothy Lowe and her daughter, Stacy Watchman.

This rug displays her Mother's gold and gray wool and bears similarities to her Mother's style. It is a real joy to see new work from The Master Weavers!

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!

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!