Burnham Area Weavings
For many years, regional weavings have continued to change and evolve, but still within the recognized regional guidelines. In the late 1970's, a group of five sisters from the Burnham area on the Navajo Nation began a new journey in the history of Navajo weaving. They began to combine patterns and designs from all of the weaving areas, along with pictorial elements and patterns of their own.
Because they had a limited number of sheep, they obtained sheared fleeces from Utah State University, where a program is in the process of rebuilding herds of the original Navajo sheep, the Churro. This breed can live easily in the desert southwest and provides wonderful strong, long wool which can be finely spun.
Today many people copy their work and many do it well. But unlike traditional patterned weavings, their designs are constantly changing and evolving. The Burnham weavers have carried Navajo weaving to a unique level of fine art.
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"The Weavers Weaving" This weaving depicts weavers holding their weavings. It measures 28 1/2 inches by 20 inches.
This spectacular weaving is made with all natural handspun Churro wool. The blue in this weaving is indigo dyed. It measures 47 1/2 inches by 72 inches.
The border on this weaving is unusual. It is made with finely spun wool and is made in the very traditional Two Grey Hills style. It measures 46 inches by 33 inches.
"Native Beauty" This is a very tightly woven weaving. It depicts a row of Navajo men and women. It measures 32 inches by 21 inches.
"Feather Girls" This weaving has a lot of character. Each of these figures have a feather sticking out the top of their heads. This weaving measures 31 inches by 20 inches.
This is an early Alice Begay Burnham weaving from the early 1980's. The pattern is common from their early work when they first began combining figurative and geometric weavings. It measures 35 1/2 inches by 24 1/2 inches.
The colors in this weaving are neutral. Browns, tans, and black are the predominate colors. This weaving is made with churro wool. It measures 30 inches by 20 inches.
"Dine` Way" This is a fantastic weaving made by Bernal Begay. She is an excellent young weaver. This weaving measures 28 1/2 inches by 20 inches.
"Coming Together" Another wonderful weaving by the talented Sandy Begay. This weaving depicts a row of women standing with a shadow behind. This weaving measures 38 inches by 21 inches.
"The Two Couples" Burnham weavings are made out of Churro wool. This weaving is tapestry quality and a highly collectible piece. It measures 32 inches by 21 inches.
This weaving took a second place ribbon from the Gallup Ceremonial. It measures 46 inches by 33 inches.
"The Weavers" The subtle colors in this Burnham weaving is very pleasing to the eye. It measures 27 inches by 16 inches.
Burnham weavings are very colorful. This wonderful weaving is made with churro wool and is exceptionally soft to the touch. It measures 19 inches by 33 inches.
"Sacred Yeis" This weaving is made of churro wool, therefore the hand-spun wool is able to be spun finer than other types of wool. This weaving measures 48 inches by 22 inches.
"Joys of Love" A unique artist, Sandy Begay is in a class all her own. She is from Burnham. She creates weavings of high quality. This weaving measures 40 inches by 24 inches.
"Night Chant" We are proud to offer this wonderful weaving by Helen Begay. She is a Burnham weaver and combines a number of Navajo weaving elements. This weaving measures 21 1/2 inches by 33 1/2 inches.
This Chinle weaving measures 52 inches by 32 inches. This is a beautiful weaving made by Marie Begay.
