Vintage Navajo Pictorial Vest of Yei Figure Woven Wool
Vintage Navajo Pictorial Vest of Yei Figure Woven Wool
You could buy a nice Ralph Lauren Purple Label vest to wear with your Native jewelry. Many people do, but for the money you could also buy a vintage one-of-a-kind handmade Navajo woven vest. Instead of one of many, your vest will be the ONLY one in existence.
This brightly colored natural fiber Navajo vest is a wearable piece of art. The front is expertly woven with nice geometric designs, but the back is where it's at. The back of the vest features a full length Navajo Yei figure. It's so cool!
The vest was purchased circa 1990 from Teal McKibben (1928–2006), a well known Santa Fe Gallerist known for her incredible collection of Native American art. Its current owner was immediately enchanted when she saw it worn by a fellow Native art aficionado. In time, she received the opportunity to purchase it for herself, and she proudly wore it to art show openings.
The vest measures 18 3/4" across the front from under arm to under arm. It's 21 1/2" long in the back from the top of the neck to the bottom of the vest. In the front, it measures 23" long from top of shoulder to bottom. There are two ties in the front of the vest, but there's really no need to close it.
Just think of all the ways you can style this unique piece of Navajo artwork and all the places you can wear it.