Native American Indian Trade Blankets

Trade blankets are the personal wraps of the old west that replaced hand loomed blankets worn by Native Americans as robes and used as dance wraps. Something of a status symbol they also came to be called chief's blankets because the chief's of the tribes would become known for the colorful trade blankets they wore. One of the most famous being Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce. Trade blankets came to be famous and synonymous with Indian blankets as Europeans began to trade in North America. The story is quite interesting in that Native Americans were the prime inspiration for the designs and production of trade blankets as well as the main market for sales of the southwest blankets. The ironic twist is that Native Americans did not weave the blankets that came to be known as Indian blankets.

A trade blanket was made on a machine by large weaving companies for the express purpose of supplying the Indians with needed blankets. These blankets were then supplied to the frontier trading posts where the Native people would buy and trade for the blankets. Trade blankets were what the Native Americans wrapped themselves in instead of a modern coat or jacket. Trade blankets were small blankets that we might call a throw blanket, lap blanket or shawl. Because the Indians were the primary buyers and traders purchasing and using the trade blankets, people began to refer to them as Indian blankets. The blankets were well made and evolved into patterns and designs that came to be identified with Native American blankets. 

All Americans began to love the lively look of the red and green, blue and black with white and other colorful accents. The “Indian blankets” became sought after by people across the country being used as decorative couch or chair covers, accent pieces as well as for camping canoeing and a new pass time called motoring. The Indian trade blankets were perfect for covering ones legs exposed when riding on a wagon, sleigh or buggy, and later in the new horseless carriages. The Native Americans of the American west such as the Navajo weavers would actually trade their hand woven Navajo blankets which today are prized collector items, for the quality and warmth of the inexpensive trade blankets. In the spirit of the trade blankets that made the old west warm and comfortable we offer these beautiful modern personal sized blankets for your use in southwest decorating, as well as cabin, lodge or ranch settings or in the special rustic or Native American room in your home. These western blankets are also great for keeping warm in outdoor sporting events, a personal cover for traveling in a car, a picnic blanket or interior decorating accent across a bed or chair.

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