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Designs his weavers developed before 1911 were still being made, virtually unchanged, as late as the 1950s. These oriental-influenced patterns are now known as Early Crystal rugs. Those made at the beginning of the century typically featured aniline red with natural whites, browns and greys, while rugs made from the 1920s on tended to rely even more heavily on a wide range of natural wool colors. One of the most popular designs that likely resulted from Moore’s work at Crystal was the Storm Pattern. It is generally defined as a central rectangle connected by zig-zag lines to smaller rectangles in each corner. The storm pattern often is said to have symbolic meaning: the zig-zags are lighting, the corner rectangles are the four sacred mountains of the Navajo or the four directions or the four winds, etc.

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Most Navajo rugs are without fringe. 99.5% is what I mean by most. If the fringe is visible on the piece of furniture you're considering, inquire about the source. I don’t care if the seller thinks their sainted grandmother bought it from J. L. Hubbell. However, fringe means it isn’t Navajo. Navajo rugs can be warped using a continuous figure-8 technique, and the weaving covers the entire warp. The image at the left shows how a rug is made. The ends of a Navajo rug will show these loops if you pay attention to them.

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Knowing the origins of the Navajo rugs will help you understand why they cost more. What is the material used to make Navajo rugs? In the mid-19th-century, weavers used three-ply yarn, also known as Saxony. Saxony stands for high-quality silky and naturally dyed years. When it comes to natural dyes they are superior to artificial. Natural dyes last longer, are brighter and don't fade so easily. Navajo rugs have a longer life span than any other. These are the same factors that were true for the Navajo rugs natural dyes. Saxony has a high quality material.The price of brand rugs will be generally lower than those of the older ones because they are less valuable. However, the overall condition may determine the price of an ancient rug.

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lakota native american rugs for sale

Although it may seem difficult to get a Navajo rug, the process is very simple. Many online retailers offer Navajo rugs in their online galleries. You will need to visit a store located in Navajo to see them in person. A reservation is required, so make sure you are able to visit Navajo homes. Two exceptions to the "no-frizzle" rule exist. Germantown rugs are made with a fringe added after it is woven. These fringes are very rare, and you can see a picture of one at the left. An antique Germantown might have some fringe, but it doesn't affect the fabric. The fringe is an added-on. A Gallup throw is the exception to this rule. These tiny pieces measure approximately 18" by 24", and are made in Gallup, New Mexico. Gallup throws are woven on a cotton warp. The weaving is cut and knotted instead of being finished in the traditional manner so that there is only one fringe. There are many Gallup throws that were sold to passengers on the Sante Fe railroad. These make a great addition to any collection. They usually cost between $40 and $50. However, I have seen them sell for as high as $250 on eBay.

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In addition to supporting the local art community, buying authentic rugs is an investment in a valuable piece of American art. Do not buy a rug from a department store, as the designer may have simply referenced a Navajo painting on it to give it a look that looks like it was made by a Navajo. You may be wondering what the Value of a Navajo rug is. The beauty of these handwoven rugs lies in their authenticity, but not every authentic Navajo rug is worth as much as you think. There are many ways to appraise Navajo rugs. You can visit a museum, sell it to a professional retailer, or sell it online through sites like eBay. To increase the value of your Navajo rug, you should restore it if it is not in good condition. You can also hire a professional appraiser to evaluate it for you.

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cheap native american area rugs

Mexican imitation Navajo rugs have wider end borders than a true Navajo rug. Side borders are sometimes wider. If there is fringe at either end that extends the warps of the rug, it may not be a genuine Navajo Rug. Wool can be used to make a Navajo rug. There are a handful of authentic Navajo rugs made from synthetic materials such acrylic. You might be able to identify it as a Navajo woman weaving a cheap knock-off. In such cases, it does not matter if it's real or not. Although the imitations may be made with wool, some fakes are made using polyester. Some fakes made from Pakistan or India use a blend or acrylic of wool and polyester.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, please let us know within 3 days from when you placed your order.
As soon as your order ships, you will receive an email with tracking info and then following emails with shipping updates.
We accept all major credit or debit cards. You can also pay with your PayPal account.
Just send us an email with your order number and we’ll send you instructions.  We will give you a full refund within the first 60 days after your order ships out.  After that, we have to charge a 25% restocking fee. You are responsible for return shipping fees unless you are swapping for a different design or size.
Yes! We can ship anywhere in the world. Please send us an email with your address before placing an order outside of the US and Canada though. We need to partially charge you for shipping when you place your order.
All of our rugs are made to order and go through a rigorous inspection process. You can typically expect your rug to be shipped 2 weeks from when you make your purchase.
We find rug pads are not necessary to protect your flooring. However, some people choose to use rug pads to prevent their rug from sliding around.