During the initial stages of Chihuly’s career, he found inspiration in the designs, colors, and shapes of Native American blankets and baskets.

In 1974, while working with a group of friends, Chihuly discovered a way to pull colored glass rods into thin threads. They could then make drawings out of these threads, which could be picked up onto the outside of a gather of hot glass. The hot glass was then formed into the shape of a cylinder, which in its simplicity acted like a canvas for the drawings in glass.

From this came the Navajo Blankets Cylinder series begun in 1975, influenced by the artist’s interest in Native American textiles. Chihuly’s fusion of ancient patterns with individual creativity resulted in dazzling glass sculptures.