You can check for these characteristics to verify the authenticity of your Native American Rug. Look out for selvage and end cords that have short corners. You can only ensure the authenticity and quality of your rug by purchasing authentic pieces. To learn more about rugs and other artifacts, you can visit the Indian Arts and Crafts Board website. You can be certain that authentic rugs are authentic by checking their certification stamp. A dealer near the reservation is the best place to purchase a Navajo rug. It is often difficult to authenticate rugs purchased from faraway locations. Genuine rugs are not only a way to support the local art scene, but they also make a great investment in American art. A department store rug may not be authentic as the designer might have used a Navajo painting to give it a look like it was made by a Navajo.
native american rugs blanketsBy 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.
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.
The Yeibechais are specifically participants of a particular Navajo healing ceremony. Although it is usually a nighttime ceremony, the rug usually does not portray a night scene. The design of this style of Navajo rug usually portrays a cornstalk or a tree growing out of a basket. There will be brightly colored birds, some recognizable such as Cardinals or Woodpeckers. Some will be flying, others perched or sitting around the basket. Often, butterflies, small animals such as rabbits and squirrels, as well as bright flowers and vines will be present. This type of weaving was developed in the 1950s and involvesa special technique which results in a three dimensional effect, making araised outline on the front side. Many of the New Lands weavers come from the Coal Mine Mesa area of the Navajo Nation.
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.
Michelle Radcliff owned a retail home furnishings business for eight years. Radcliff offers decorating advice on her blog, Home Decorating News, is a regular contributor on interior design at LoveToKnow.com and earned certification as an interior decorator from Penn Foster College in 2013. Authenticity, Regional characteristics, documentation, and price are just some of the things to look for when buying Native American rugs. Read on to learn how to tell the difference between a traditional rug and a counterfeit one. Then you can make a well-informed decision on whether the piece you’ve just purchased is genuine. There are several other things to look for, too, like the color of the rug and its price.
There are two exceptions for the "no frill" rule. Germantown rug fringe is an added feature that is added to the rug when it is being woven. These fringes are rare, and you'll find a good photo of one below. A fringed antique Germantown can be worn down or removed entirely but does not alter the structure of its textile. Gallup throws are an exception to this rule. These are small pieces, usually measuring 18 by 24 inches in size and are woven locally in Gallup. Gallup throws are made on a cotton weave. The weaving is cut off and then knotted. This leaves a fringe only on one side. There are many Gallup throws on the market that were sold to Sante Fe train passengers. These are a nice addition for a collection. They can be purchased for $40-50, but I've seen them selling for as much as $250 on eBay.