What’s the Difference Between a Bayeta First Phase and a Ute Style First Phase?

Bayeta first phases have thin red stripes. Ute Style first phases have no red stripes. While Ute Style first phases are the earlier form, it would be a mistake to assume that all Ute Style first phases were woven before all bayeta first phases.

Top Left: A Classic First Phase Chief’s Blanket, Ute Style, Navajo, circa 1840, also known as the Berlant First Phase.

Top Right: A Classic Bayeta First Phase Chief’s Blanket, Navajo, circa 1840, also known as the Chantland First Phase.

Lower Left: A Classic First Phase Chief’s Blanket, Ute Style, and Woman’s Style, Navajo, circa 1860, also known as the Taylor First Phase, Woman’s Style.

Lower Right: A Classic Bayeta First Phase Chief’s Blanket, Woman’s Style, Navajo, circa 1855, also known as the Buffaloe Bayeta First Phase, Woman’s Style.

Bayeta first phases are also sometimes called “Navajo Style first phases,” or “red line first phases.”