Creation Date

1931 – 1955

Description

"Off-white monk's cloth is used for this large luncheon cloth and four napkins featuring the Yebichai (Yei-bei-shei) dancer. One dancer is cross-stitched on one corner of each napkin. Four dancers, perpendicular to each other, are embroidered on the luncheon cloth with diagonal designs converging in the spaces between the dancers. Many bright colors are used in this embroidery. The ends of both cloth and napkins are fringed. Back around the 1900's the first "yei" rug was woven. Navajos concieved of the "Yeis" as intermediaries between men and gods. They are represented as elongated, straight bodied figures in the sand paintings made by the tribe for certain rituals. As they are sacred, these designs in rugs were frowned upon. However, the Navajos continue to use them in their rugs, as well as in sets like this luncheon cloth and napkins."

1/30/07 The napinks are all together . The design looks like a corn stalk. The dancers are only on the luncheon cloth.