During the last two decades of the 19th century, most Navajo blankets were woven of spongy, loosely spun yarns most frequently dyed with aniline reds, oranges and yellows. Banded Blankets made with simple stripes of contrasting color were descendents of the earliest Navajo weavings. A more complicated type of design was derived from Hispanic Saltillo serapes which featured brightly colored patterns of serrated diamond shapes.
Among the ones with an excessively high price tag, Navajo rugs are one. So, why are Navajo rugs so expensive? First of all, they have history attached to them. Secondly, if you notice, these rugs show off an excellent form of craftsmanship. Then, there is the type of weaving method that the weavers use to manufacture these rugs. Finally, the quality of the materials of these rugs is significantly higher than any random rug on the market.
There is one exception to the additional indicators of price, material and fringe. Gallup throws, which are woven in the Gallup, New Mexico area, are small textiles measuring about 18 by 24 inches. Gallup throws are made with a cotton warp, and the weaving is cut off and knotted, creating a fringe on one side only. Typical prices for these textiles range from $40 to $50, as of publication. The only other authentic Navajo rugs that feature fringe are Germantown rugs. These rare antique rugs have fringe that was added on after the weaving process was completed.
Many people who would never visit the Reservation appreciated the exotic designs and laborious handcraftsmanship of Navajo weaving. Proponents of the Arts & Crafts design movement found that the bold, geometric designs harmonized beautifully with their simple furniture and handmade accessories. By 1896, C.N. Cotton, a trader in Gallup, New Mexico had issued a catalogue in an effort to expand his market to eastern retailers. Other traders, most notably Lorenzo Hubble at Ganado, Arizona and J.B. Moore at Crystal, New Mexico, followed up with their own catalogues in the early years of the new century, focusing specifically on rugs. Navajo weaving had quickly gained a national audience.
Your website is wonderful. I have learned a lot. Our family lived in Church Rock, Texas, in the 70s. My parents bought a few rugs in a trade post near the area now called "Legacy Park", and from a Navajo weaving family. They also raised the sheep and lived inside a hagon. I still have the recipe for the mutton stew, and the fry bread. They're not the names my mother remembers. Please help me to identify the type of rug they are. They are five in all.
Named after a Navajo settlement in northeastern Arizona, this rug design features a wide border, along with intricate geometric patterns. The colors are vibrant in Teec Nos Pos rugs and display feather and arrow designs within the center of them. This rug design comes from a trading post called Two Grey Hills. They are high-quality and have intricate patterns. The rugs are made using natural wool that is undyed. There are “spirit lines” that act as accents around the borders of these rugs. The final type of Navajo rug design is one that was offered to Navajo chiefs. These were made using the highest quality threads available. The patterns are durable and simple. Blue, white, and brown are all prominent on Chief weavings.