Zapotec and other Mexican knock-offs often have wide end borders and end cords that are added after the rug is woven. The warp ends will be buried along side the adjacent cut warp ends as described previously. It should be noted that many knock-offs, regardless of origin, use designs taken directly from photos in books. The Zapotec are the #1 makers of counterfeit Navajo rugs. In Teotitlan de Valle (Zapotec rugs) much of their entire industry is devoted to making fakes and knock-offs. They make the hightest number and most convincing fakes.

Navajo rugs have no ridges at the ends. Someone may attempt to pass a rug off Navajo or make it more Navajo by running the warps into the rug. This creates ridges at its ends. The doubled up warps can be seen if the weft yarns are separated slightly. I'll post a photo of the next good example I see. This is very common in Ye'i rug replicas that are made in Mexico.

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A well-made Navajo blanket has a high collector value, and it is important to remember that the Navajo tribe produced many other products before they started weaving rugs. Many Navajo blankets were used for everyday use and were made of natural fibers. However, after the Spanish began introducing Iberian Churra sheep, they began to use wool from desert plants for their blankets. They eventually replaced these blankets with machine-made ones that were made in Pendleton, Oregon. You will pay a higher price for a Navajo Rug made from hand-spun wool, as opposed to one that is mass-produced. This is because the wool is heavier and smoother. Some of the finest rugs are considered tapestries, with 80 threads per inch or more. A well-made rug has even edges and a balanced pattern. You will see that the rug is not uniform, as some weavers add imperfections to their work.

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knockoff native american hearth rugs

First, authentic Navajo rugs use a vertical loom with a continuous warp. This means that the base wool yarn is not cut at the ends. Instead, the warp thread runs from the bottom to the top of the loom, loops down to it, and loops back to the top. The Navajo rug's foundation is made by the warp yarn, while the design pattern is created by the weft yarn. Mexican looms are horizontally-oriented and have multiple warp threads. They are also fringed at the ends. You are most likely looking at a Mexican-made rug that has fringed ends. This is not a Navajo rug that uses one continuous warp. This rule is not always true. Some weavings in the Navajo "Germantown style" may have had fringe.

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Buy Navajo rugs from dealers located close to or on-site at the reservation. Rugs purchased in distant locations can often be difficult to authenticate. You are supporting your local art community and investing in American art by buying authentic rugs. Don't buy a rug from a department shop. A designer may have referenced a Navajo art on it to give it a look similar to it was made by a Navajo. You might be wondering about the value and characteristics of a Navajo Navajo rugs. The beauty of these handwoven rugs is in their authenticity. However not every authentic Navajo rug is worth the same. There are many options for valuing Navajo rugs. You can either take the rug to a museum or have it professionally appraised. Or, you could sell it online through websites like eBay. If it isn't in good condition, you can make it more valuable by restoring it. A professional appraiser may also be available to help you assess the rug.

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native american area rugs cheap 8 x 11 soft back
native american area rugs cheap 8 x 11 soft back

Important factors that impact an authentic Navajo rug's price are the fineness of the yarn and weave, the size, and the design. Navajo rugs are woven on the same kind of simple loom that has been in use by the Navajo for 300 years - so complex, balanced designs are a true testament to the weaver’s skill and artistry. A common issue for new collectors is determining if a Navajo rug is authentic. Knowing what to look for is especially crucial because weavings from Mexico can resemble Navajo rugs and can confuse a novice. Beware, especially, a weaving described as “Navajo style.” This term lets you know that you are looking at a Mexican reproduction and not an authentic Navajo rug.

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The absence of fringe still might not mean you are looking at a Navajo rug or blanket, though. Sometimes, Mexican weavers will tuck the warp ends in to make it look continuous, even if it is not. In these cases, the weaving is usually thicker at the ends and then thins out.

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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.