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southwestern woven rug

Nevertheless, some weavers still practice the more difficult twill weaves, including rare two-faced weavings which have a different twill pattern on each side. In the 1960s, weavers in the area of Coal Mine Mesa in Arizona popularized an unusual technique called Raised Outline in which the joints between color areas are thicker and appear to rise above the surface of the weaving. Most raised outline rugs also use the technique of alternating single weft threads of two contrasting colors. When tightly battened, they give the appearance of very thin stripes running parallel to each warp thread. As with any collecting specialty, there is so much to learn about Navajo weaving that it can seem overwhelming for the beginner.

The easiest and most foolproof way to determine a fake Navajo rug is by examining the ends to see if the warps were tucked back in or if they are truly continuous. If they are tucked in, then every other warp area will have two threads as is illustrated below:

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There are some standard sizes in Navajo Rugs because of the way it is woven, by hand on a Navajo Loom. Common sizes are 4x6, 5x8, 6x9…. (of course there are more sizes available, larger and smaller). You get the idea, rugs are usually woven in a rectangular configuration. The price will vary greatly by the size you need. Some large Navajo Rugs may take 1, 2, or 3 years to make and are harder to find, so they are in a higher price range. Smaller Navajo Rugs start at $100 and they go up from there. Antique Navajo rugs, depending on size can range from around $1,000 up to many thousands. Provenance can also add value to historic Navajo rugs, for example, previous collection history, or prior publication, etc.

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native american throw rugs fort worth

Authentic Navajo rugs are made by hand, often over a period of several years, and are usually made of quality sheep wool. They can cost thousands of dollars and are meant to be heirlooms for generations to come. Authentic Navajo rugs have unique designs, such as the Teec Nos Pas rugs from northeastern Arizona. This uniqueness makes each piece more beautiful and adds to the price tag.

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southern rugs

Rugs are often woven in a rectangular format. The size and price of a rug will depend on its dimensions. Large Navajo Rugs take 1, 2, and 3 years to produce. They are harder to find, which means they have a higher price. Smaller Navajo rugs start around $100 and go up from that point. Antique Navajo rugs may be anywhere from 1,000 to many thousand, depending on the size. Historic Navajo rugs with provenance can also have value, such as a prior collection or publication. Depending upon the size, contemporary Navajo rugs are available from UNDER $500 all the way up to many 1,000.

southern rugs
western rugs wholesale
western rugs wholesale

What makes Navajo textiles so amazing is the simple tools the weavers used for creating them. The looms themselves are simple and often built out of doors under a tree. Patterns were and are still plotted in the weaver’s brain. However, to achieve a harmonious design it requires multidimensional thinking and expert artistic ability. All Navajo weavings are hand-woven and require a lot of skill. As is tradition, the weaver and his family raised the sheep. Taking care of the flock was a family responsibility. Early Navajo weavings had special wool made from Churro sheep's breed. This is well-known for its silky, long fibers. Later, as Navajos began making rugs out of wool, they started to include other varieties of sheep in their flocks.

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The lack of fringe doesn't necessarily mean you're looking at a Navajo carpet or blanket. Mexican weavers may tuck the warp ends in, to make it look continuous. The weaving will be thicker at ends and thinner towards the ends in these cases. Second, look out for "lazy lines". A lazy line can be a diagonal 45-degree angle line created by the Navajo weaver when creating a rug. A lazy line can be a sign that a rug is authentic Navajo. But, imitation rugs often have similar lines. The weaver creates a lazy line as he works. The weaver stands in front the loom and weaves the weft yarn according to the required pattern. The weaver moves on to the next section. This creates beautiful lines within the rug's body.

native american rugs with a h woven in the corner

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.