The Bright River blanket is a brilliant interpretation of the Navajo weaving style known as the Eye Dazzler. In it vibrant color flows and undulates like sunset reflected on the waters of a Southwest river. Mesmerizing designs such as these appeared during the Transitional period (1880-1895) when Navajo weavers shifted from making blankets to crafting rugs. During that time traders introduced Germantown yarns via the Santa Fe Railroad. The colorful, 4-ply wool yarns were produced at textile mills in Germantown, Pennsylvania. Unlike traditional handspun yarns, these new yarns boasted consistent textures and fabulous new colors from commercial aniline dyes. They encouraged experimentation, innovation and creativity among the weavers. Intricate new designs were influenced by the dramatic serapes woven in northern Mexico. Borrowing from the elaborate serrated diamonds of Rio Grande/Saltillo serapes, Navajo weavers created eye-dazzling optical effects in brilliant new color palettes.