Navajo saddle-blankets are a form of Navajo weaving that is unusual. Medicine Man Gallery's owner, Dr. J. Sublette, discusses these remarkable Navajo saddle blankets in this article. Mark Sublette discusses these incredible Navajo Navajo quilts that were on display at the gallery in 2009. Topics covered include style, form, appeal, and collector appeal.

If you are in the market for a new rug, you may want to check its authenticity first. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act prohibits the sale of American Indian crafts that are not authentic. While a good seller will tell you how long it has been in business, you should be careful to avoid buying a counterfeit rug. This law applies to Native American rugs and blankets, as well as all other American Indian products marketed in the U.S.

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After shearing sheep, the wool must be cleaned and carded before being spun by hand. Even today, Navajo spinners don't use spinning wheels. The wool is stretched out and twisted by hand onto a spindle. The blanket is then woven using the unique Navajo loom. A Navajo rug made from authentic wool is a laborious task for the weaver. A weaver must also raise sheep, which many still do. The wool must then be shorn, cleaned and carded. It can take up to a year to weave a large rug. Keep in mind that weaving Navajo rugs takes a lot of time. Boys and girls often learn the basics of weaving as children. They then progress in difficulty.

authentic native american blankets for sale

authentic native american blankets for sale

All of these have a meaning, which tells what the weaver was thinking about when they started to weave the rug. It is one of the things that makes these special. So, why are Navajo rugs expensive? The excellent craftsmanship, the history behind the rugs, weaving technique, materials, and other methods increases the price point of the Navajo rugs. It will be tough for you to make a one-to-one comparison of an authentic Navajo rug with something that came out of a modern factory. For that reason, if you are eyeing a Navajo rug, you are planning to get a hold of a piece of art with a rich history behind it and is second to none.

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The process of weaving, to the Navajo, is a spiritual one. Each weaver puts her (or occasionally, his) soul and creative energy into the weaving of a rug. Though it may have a characteristic regional design, it will be the interpretation of the weaver that will make that rug its own enduring piece of art. While basic knowledge of regional characteristics is useful in the study of Navajo rug ID, in the Navajo nation today a rug with a regional name such as Two Grey Hills may have actually been woven by a weaver from a completely different region.

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indian area rug
indian area rug

Pictorials made before the 1940s are relatively uncommon and usually command a premium price from collectors. After World War II, however, more weavers began making pictorial weavings, frequently filling a small rug with a single scene. Types that have been especially popular since the 1970s include landscape scenes which usually feature red cliffs or mountains, blue sky and clouds, juniper and pine trees, hogans, farm animals, trucks, and people. Another common format is called the “Tree of Life” pattern, consisting of a corn stalk rising from a Navajo wedding basket, with birds adorning the leaves of the cornstalk. Despite the obvious symbolism of patterns such as the “Tree of Life,” most pictorial motifs had no specific religious meaning; they simply were objects common in the culture or of special interest to the weaver.

hand made native american rugs
native rug

By the end of the period, saddle blankets frequently had patterns only at the corners or edges since only those parts of the blanket were visible when in use. Double saddle blankets sometimes had a different pattern on each half. Fancy Saddle Blankets, often featuring bright colors, elaborate patterns and fringes, were probably more for show than function. Evidence suggests they often were tied to the saddle skirt behind the cantle rather than being placed under the saddle. During the first several decades of the twentieth century, weavers near railroad stops and tourist centers made small, loosely woven, pictorial mats. Now known as Gallup Throws, these inexpensive items were a favorite, easy to transport souvenir among visitors to the southwest. Pictorial and geometric “rugs,” too small for use on the floor and typically made with commercially spun and dyed yarns, remain a staple of the souvenir trade to this day.

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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.