Navajo women learned weaving in the mid-1600s from their Pueblo Indian neighbors who had been growing and weaving cotton since about 800 AD. Spanish settlers had brought their Churro sheep to the region in the early 1600s and introduced the Navajo to wool. By the early 1800s, Navajo weavers used wool exclusively, and became well known among both their Indian and Spanish neighbors for finely woven, nearly weatherproof blankets that became popular trade items. Traditional, Native-made blankets were wider than long (when the warp was held vertically) and were known as mantas.
Prices are dependent on size, age, tightness of the weave, and intricacy of design. Navajo rugs are so expensive due to their exemplary craftsmanship and use of high quality wool. The tightness of the weaving, size of the rug, dyes used and condition all affect a Navajo rug’s price. Prices for Navajo rugs typically range anywhere from $100 to a few thousand dollars. In the early 1800s Navajo women began to weave chief’s blankets, which were so widely traded that they were worn by Indians from the northern Great Plains to the Mexican border. Although not a badge of chieftainship, these blankets did symbolize power and affluence. The value of a Navajo rug will depend on a few factors, such as how large it is, how old it is, how tight the weaving is, the style, what dyes were used, and what condition it is in. Navajo rugs can range anywhere from $100 for a small one, to several thousand dollars for a large and old one. The only surviving pioneer mill for those blankets is Pendleton Woolen Mills in Pendleton, Oregon. They sell to non-Indians as well, but about half their annual production goes to Indians, particularly Navajos.
These blankets were highly sought-after trade items by tribes without weaving traditions. Even then, Navajo blankets could be expensive so tribe members with the greatest wealth couldn't afford them. Plains cultures especially valued Navajo blankets because of their warmth, comfort and visual beauty. The blanket design before the features of his face could identify a horseman riding on horseback in one of these weavings. According to Navajo weaving traditions blankets worn by Navajo only existed for 50 years. As affordable blankets like those made by Pendleton Woolen Mills were available, the end of this era was signaled.
The Navajo returned from Bosque Redondo to a very different world; one increasingly tied to the larger Anglo-American economy and culture. Families quickly rebuilt their sheep herds and resumed production of their own hand-spun yarns, although the Churro sheep had been replaced by American Merino sheep which had shorter, greasier wool that was much harder to clean and spin by hand. Weavers also found that the market for their blankets was changing rapidly. The trading post system and its ties to the railroad brought relatively cheap manufactured clothing and supplies to the Navajo and surrounding tribes. Anglo-style coats and dresses were replacing wearing blankets as the clothing of choice among Native peoples.
Wool is the standard material used in the making of a Navajo rug. There are a few genuine Navajo rugs made using synthetic materials such as acrylic. If encountering one, it could be looked at as the result of a Navajo woman weaving her own cheap knock-off. In such case, it probably doesn't matter is it is real or not. The imitators may use wool but there are poor fakes made in Mexico that use polyester. Some fakes made in India or Pakistan use a blend of wool and polyester or acrylic. Contrary to another author, sniffing the rug to determine if the rug is made from wool is not useful. Much of the wool use in contemporary Navajo rugs has very little lanolin and doesn't smell at all. Older rugs may have been cleaned or have acquired other odors. It is comic to watch a potential buyer go through a store's inventory sniffing the rugs. A buyer should learn to distinguish the look and feel of wool from other materials. While there are more scientific means of testing for wool, they are usually not practical in the context of purchasing a rug from a store or Indian arts dealer.
A well-made Navajo blanket can have a high value collector. It is important to note that before they started weaving rugs, the Navajo tribe made many other products. Many Navajo blankets, made of natural fibers, were intended for daily use. The Spanish introduced the Iberian Churra and they began to use desert wool in their blankets. These blankets were replaced eventually by machine-made blankets, which were made in Pendleton Oregon. A Navajo Rug that is hand-spun from wool will have a higher cost than one made from mass-produced wool. The reason is that the wool is both heavier and more luxurious. Tapestries, which have at least 80 threads per inch, are some of the most beautiful rugs. A well-made rug is balanced and has straight edges. Because some rug weavers add imperfections, it is likely that your rug is not uniform.
There are special cleaners for wool rugs that you can use to get rid of minor stains. When you follow these guidelines, you should have no little to no issues keeping your rug pristine. Navajo rugs are unique and beautiful high-quality rugs with a rich history. It's no wonder that they have become so popular within the past century. You can now enjoy the beauty of a Navajo as well, by buying one, as mentioned earlier. These rugs are ideal for decorating your home and bringing some authentic Navajo culture into your life.