Amsden has divided Navajo weaving into four distinct styles.
Topic
Navajo weaving styles and the evolution of the bordered rug style—examining Amsden’s claims and alternative perspectives.
Framework
Challenge Position (Primarily challenges Amsden’s theory about a radical stylistic break in Navajo weaving brought on by Anglo influence.)
Main Point
While Amsden argues that the emergence of the bordered rug style represents a sharp, Anglo-inspired break from Navajo weaving traditions, this passage raises questions about his interpretation—suggesting that changes in artistic style may be more gradual and internally motivated than he claims. **Most Valuable Sentence:** “Amsden’s view raises several questions.” (Beginning of P4 as the pivot to author’s challenge.)
P1: Amsden's Classification of Navajo Weaving
Amsden divides Navajo weaving into four main styles, identifying them by their band designs (stripes, zigzags, diamonds) or by having a border with dominant central figures.
P2: Historical Emergence and Anglo Influence
Amsden dates the diamond style to post-1869 (after Anglo influence began) and claims the bordered style (circa 1890) reflects strong Anglo preferences, such as the insistence on borders, which was originally foreign to Navajo taste.
P3: Why Bordered Rugs Matter—Amsden's Argument
He claims bordered rugs signify a major break from traditional weaving—switching from continuous, banded designs to isolated, bordered figures, which changed the artistic challenge for weavers.