Native American trade blankets
Native American trade blankets, originally introduced through European trade in the late seventeenth century, have a rich history intertwined with the dynamics of cultural exchange and commerce. Initially used in the fur trade, these blankets evolved to play a significant role in treaties between Native Americans and the U.S. government starting in 1776. By the early 1800s, small manufacturers emerged in the United States, leading to a shift from government-controlled trade to private business, which transformed trade blankets into profit-driven commodities.
As the West opened up, competition grew among manufacturers, resulting in a wider variety of colors and designs. Trade blankets served multiple purposes for Native Americans, providing warmth and serving as a means of artistic expression, replacing traditional animal hide robes and hand-woven blankets. They were also valuable as gifts and symbols of wealth, status, and tribal identity. Various design categories emerged, featuring intricate patterns and colors that conveyed stories, myths, and cultural significance.
By the end of the twentieth century, only a few manufacturers, like Pendleton, remained in business producing these blankets, which continue to be cherished as both collectibles and practical items. The enduring legacy of trade blankets reflects their importance in both Native American culture and broader American history.
Native American trade blankets
Tribes affected: Pantribal
Significance: American Indian trade blankets were manufactured by non-Indians and used as a commodity in trade dealings between the U.S. government and Native Americans
The earliest known use of European and English commercially made blankets in North America was in the fur trade with American Indians in the late seventeenth century. The use of the trade blanket as payment for treaties between the U.S. government and Native Americans began in 1776. Small manufacturers of blankets were established in the United States by the early 1800’s. About the same time, trade stations were being established across the country for the nonprofit exchange of goods between the government and the Indians. By the 1820’s, however, private businesses had replaced the government-controlled trade, and the trade blanket became a profit-making commodity. The market for trade blankets continued to expand with the opening of the West by the railroads, bringing more competition among manufacturers and a greater variety of colors and designs.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, there were five major U.S. manufacturers (one of which was Pendleton) that produced only trade blankets. By the end of the twentieth century, Pendleton was the only company still in business producing “trade” blankets.
The finely woven, double-faced blankets were used by Native Americans as clothing that provided both warmth and a means of expression. They replaced the use of robes made of animal hides by in the Plains culture area and the hand-woven blankets of the Navajo; they were also used as highly valued gifts. Blankets conveyed different moods, depending on the style in which they were worn. They were thrown over the shoulder, belted at the waist, wrapped around the waist, or worn as a hooded robe. Blankets were also used as infant and child carriers, covers for the bed, and saddle blankets. The blankets also were a measure of wealth or status and could be used as statements of tribal unity or individual identity.
There were six general categories for design in trade blankets. These include the striped, banded, and nine-element designs used in chief’s blankets, as well as center point, overall, and framed designs. Bright earth tones plus white, blue, and black were the predominant colors and were often woven into intricate design patterns. Design elements include motifs such as the cross, swastika, arrow, zig-zag, and banding that formed geometric patterns symbolizing mountains, paths, clouds, stars, birds, and the four cardinal directions. Some designs were believed to express stories and myths and were made for Indians by using Indian symbols and colors.
Trade blankets continue to be highly valued by Indians and non-Indians, both as collectibles and as usable blankets. They became known as “Indian blankets” long ago because American Indians made them a distinct part of their lives and cultures.