NO. 2235. 



HOPl INDIAN COLLECTION— HOUGH. 



255 



Several very old blanket weaving tools are in the Museum col- 

 lection, and considerable difficulty has been experienced in definitely 

 ascertaining their use, especially since these tools are archaic to the 

 present weavers. Figure 32 is the oldest and best specimen of 

 browned oak polished by long use and carved back and 

 front with patterns. It was collected by Mrs. M. C. 

 Stevenson, who was told that the notches on the 

 handle of the tur i hohu^ as it is called, recorded 

 the number of blankets the weaver had made, and 

 the notches on the blade the number of days to 

 be consumed in making a blanket, thus indicating 

 an interesting record or tally stick. The terraced 

 end set with sharp iron point probably served to 

 push in certain threads of the Avarp to form a 

 special shed for diaper weave. Figure 33 is also of 

 oak with two spurs formed in the end. These 

 probably served as a comb for pressing down por- 

 tions of the weft. Figure 34, of oak, resembles the 



Im 



Fig. 32.— a, Blanket weaving tool. 6, back view. 



Fig. 31.— Shuttle of 

 primitive form, 



This 



stretching pins used by the embroidery of blankets (fig. 38), 

 specimen has also tally notches on the side. 



Belt weaving. — The greatest play of fancy in the Hopi textile 

 art is in the weaving of belts. Apparently tapes, belts, and other 

 narrow weavings have a long history and preserve to some extent 



the primitive art 

 in tools, methods, 

 and designs. 

 Wider fabrics are 

 the product of 

 civilization and 

 have not the long 

 lineage of design 

 that is unbroken 

 in the narrow fabrics. The handicraft that could produce small 

 and greatly varied patterns with a few warp threads was not 

 perpetuated in the fabrics requiring numerous warp threads. An 

 examination of the hand woven tapes and belts of Europe, Asia, 



Fig. 33.— a, Oak blanket weaving tool. &, side view. 



