The Navajo wove pictorial blankets as early as the 1860s. Most pictorial images in the early blankets were small items such as ceremonial pipes, chickens, dogs, arrows, etc. With the coming of the railroads in the late 19th century and the influence of the traders, Navajo weavers began incorporating larger pictorial images. While still relatively rare, scenes such as the ones woven into this rug were very desirable to collectors.

It is difficult to date this textile with certainty. Given the wools, the dyes used, the weaving techniques and the arrangement of the panels, we believe it was woven from 1920-1940.

This Navajo textile is in the form of a double saddle blanket. As it draped across the back of the horse, the images were visible from either side.