Navajo Germantown Mini Loom Wall Hanging; Railroad Tourist item

ca 1900

14.5" L x 8.25" W 

Hand Crafted with Two Wood Sticks on Each End and Two Smaller Sticks in the Open Weave Part Made from Wool in Burgundy, Tan, Red Deep and Purple Colors in a Geometric Design

Small looms of this period were specifically made for the Railroad Tourist as they were the perfect size to roll and place in a suit case and were a superb item representing the Navajo culture of weaving. 

Provenance of JN Butler Collection

In Very Good Condition

The Janet Nelson Butler Collection was developed by her great-uncle Edward William (E.W.) Nelson (1855-1934).  The Wikipedia page on E.W. Nelson states that he was an American naturalist and ethnologist.  Initially Mr. Nelson’s research was in Alaska.  However, he developed tuberculosis and relocated to the American Southwest in 1890.  His studies ranged from Death Valley to Mexico. The Smithsonian Institution houses his collection of artifacts from the Alaska expeditions. 
Family oral history as related by Janet was that many parts of the Indian Collection were pawned items purchased at trading posts by E.W. Nelson, while some items may have been purchased by his brother F.W. Nelson. 
E.W. Nelson never married and had no children. Upon his death, his collections passed to R. Leiland Nelson, the only child of his only sibling. Upon the death of R. Leiland Nelson’s wife, their sole surviving child Janet Nelson Butler received the collection. Janet Nelson Butler passed away in 2022 and had no children.