Navajo rugs often have a side selvage cord. Navajo weavers often use a twisted side selvage cord to help them maintain a straight edge. The presence or absence of a side selvage cord is not as definite an indicator as a fringe, but if the cord is there, it builds the case that it’s Navajo. Mexican weavers maintain straight sides on their pieces by using three or four warps together, or even a single very thick warp or even rope. If you see a rug with outside warps that are visibly thicker, look at the ends of the rug for fringe or for evidence that the warp ends have been sewn back in to eliminate the fringe.
The name Saxony refers to high-quality, silky, and naturally dyed years. Now, when it comes to natural dyes, they are way better than artificial ones. The natural dyes last longer, have a better vibrancy and do not fade away that easily. That is why Navajo rugs last longer than the others.
Starting in the 1940s, Sally and William Lippincott, owners of the trading post at Wide Ruins, Arizona worked with the weavers in their area to develop highly detailed banded patterns rendered in vegetal dyes. Most Wide Ruins rugs are characterized by very fine, tightly-spun yarns and a flat, even weave. They feature the full range of new vegetal colors including soft green, mauve, terra cotta, and pale purple, pink and blue as well as the more common yellow, gold, brown, and tan. Burntwater, another center of vegetal dye weaving near Wide Ruins, has given its name to a distinctive rug type which combines the bordered, central geometric designs of modern Ganado and Two Grey Hills rugs with bright pastel, vegetal colors.
Authentic Navajo rugs are made by hand, often over a period of several years, and are usually made of quality sheep wool. They can cost thousands of dollars and are meant to be heirlooms for generations to come. Authentic Navajo rugs have unique designs, such as the Teec Nos Pas rugs from northeastern Arizona. This uniqueness makes each piece more beautiful and adds to the price tag.
If fringe is found at the ends of the rug that extends from the warps, it is probably not a genuine Navajo rug. Wool, the most common material used to make Navajo rugs, is used. There are a few authentic Navajo rugs that are made from synthetic materials like acrylic. One could look at it as a Navajo woman making her own knockoff if they come across one. It doesn't really matter if it is real or fake in such cases. Although imitations may use wool, there are also poor imitations made in Mexico using polyester. Fake Indian or Pakistani fakes may use a mix of wool, polyester or acrylic. According to another author, it is not necessary to smell the rug in order to determine whether or not it is wool. Contemporary Navajo rugs are made from wool that has little lanolin, and it doesn't smell. Older rugs might have had other odors or been cleaned. It's funny to see potential buyers go through the store's inventory and smell the rugs. Buyers should be able to tell the difference between wool and other materials. There are many scientific methods to test for wool but they are not always practical when buying a rug in a shop or Indian arts dealer.
They are more likely to incorporate natural wool colors and more subdued chemical shades. Yeis continue to be very popular with collectors and are now being made in nearly all parts of the reservation. Although rugs have been the predominant product of Navajo looms over past century, weavers have continued to make other types of products, if on a smaller scale. Navajo culture thoroughly embraced the horse in the late 19th century, and saddle blankets were commonly produced until the 1950s.
Older rugs might be dirty, or may have acquired other odors. It is funny to see a potential buyer look through a store's inventory and sniff the rugs. A buyer should be able recognize the differences between wool and other materials. While there are some more scientific methods of testing wool, they aren't always practical in the context where a rug is being purchased from an Indian arts dealer or store. Zapotec is another Mexican knock-off. Many Mexican RugsZapotec have wide ends and end cords. These end cords are added after the rug was woven. As explained previously, the warp ends of the rug will be buried with adjacent cut warp end. It is important that knock-offs of all origin use designs taken from books and photos. The Zapotec is the biggest manufacturer of counterfeit Navajo rugs. Teotitlan de Valle's Zapotec rug industry is heavily involved in the production of fakes and knockoffs. They create the most convincing, high-quality fakes.