A superb collection of textiles is currently being showcased at the Couse-Sharp Historic Site, celebrating the rich and colorful textile traditions that developed in New Mexico, Mexico and throughout the American Southwest in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Rio Grande Sarape, ca. 1825-1850, vertical zigzag pattern in white, brown and indigo blue.
A number of weavings on view come from Couse-Sharp’s own collection, but most of the historic textiles in the exhibition were sourced from the lifetime collections of Mark and Linda Winter, modern-day traders to the Diné people at their Historic Toadlena Trading Post on the Navajo Nation; as well as collector James H. Collins, based in Colorado. Mark Winter is guest curator for the exhibition.
“The two primary textile categories will be early Saltillo Sarapes and Rio Grande blankets from Old and New Mexico,” Winter says. “These ‘wearing blankets’ were made to protect against the elements and serve as beautiful adornment.”
“We’re thrilled and grateful to have such amazing examples from unparalleled collections,” adds Davison Koenig, executive director and curator at Couse-Sharp Historic Site. “It’s a rare opportunity to see beautiful and colorful textiles that are usually hidden deep in the storage vaults of institutions.”
Navajo-woven late classic sarape-style wearing blanket, ca. 1870s, 55 x 78 in.
While the exhibition primarily features Hispanic textiles, collectors will also be able to explore early examples by Navajo and pueblo weavers. In addition, a selection of contemporary works that evolved out of these historic Southwest traditions will be included as well.
Classic Saltillo Sarape, ca. 1775-1850, concentric diamond center, complex diagonal grid field.
Weaving the New World: Hispanic Textiles and Their Influence on the Northern Frontier will be on view through March 31 in Couse-Sharp Historic Site’s Dean Porter Gallery and Luna Family Chapel. —
Weaving the New World
Through March 31, 2026
Couse-Sharp Historic Site
146 Kit Carson Road, Taos, NM 87571
www.couse-sharp.org
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