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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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Yes, it is a Chief Blanket variation. It combines elements the Third Phase Chief Blanket, with what are called Moqui blankets. They have black-and-blue stripes and are associated the period when many Navajos served as servants in Hispanic homes north of New Mexico. Most of the fakes and reproductions you will see are from Mexico, India, Pakistan and Ukraine. A few copies have been created in the United States. Fake rugs from Mexico use a horizontal Spanish/European-style loom. At each end, the warps are attached at the loom. Although there might be a cabled bundle at each end of the warps to ensure dimensional stability while weaving, there will not be any side cords like in a true Navajo rug. Once the rug is completed, it should be taken out of the loom.

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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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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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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.

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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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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.