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Early blankets from the mid-1800s are the rarest, with some forms only having 50 or so known surviving examples. The rarity of Navajo blankets makes them highly prized by collectors, many of whom consider a fine Navajo blanket to be the cornerstone of their collection. The combination of rarity and collector enthusiasm is reflected in the high prices of these textiles. In terms of visual appeal, Navajo blankets have a level of artistic sophistication that rivals any form of modern art. Whether simple bold stripes, as seen in early blanket examples, or complex “eyedazzler” geometric patterns when synthetic dyes became available, Navajo blankets are studies in balance, composition, and contrast.

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Navajo rugs are highly sought-after hand-woven textiles that can command a high price. However, it is not uncommon to find sellers who use the term “Navajo” for textiles that look like authentic Navajo rugs but are not Navajo made. Knowing the difference is important to avoid overpaying for textiles that actually have much less value. Most indicators need to be observed in person, making online buying more challenging.

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They also used Saxony, a special kind of yarn that was silky but naturally tinted. These rugs were made using all-natural elements, which resulted in Navajo rugs of high quality. These wools were difficult to spin which made them expensive due to the long hours and labor of the weavers. The Navajo rugs have unique designs that make them special and distinctive. These rugs contain different types of geometric patterns on their surfaces, which makes them unique among all other rugs. As we know, the Navajo weavings rely on multiple yarns in their handlooms. These stripes were distinctive among the 100 other stripes found on the same rug and were extremely thin. The corners of Navajo rugs included borders to represent their culture, heritage, or spirituality. These borders depicted their stories and traditions through the little details.

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The imitators may use wool but there are poor fakes made in Mexico that use polyester. Some fakes made in India or Pakistan use a blend of wool and polyester or acrylic. Contrary to another author, sniffing the rug to determine if the rug is made from wool is not useful. Much of the wool use in contemporary Navajo rugs has very little lanolin and doesn't smell at all. Older rugs may have been cleaned or have acquired other odors. It is comic to watch a potential buyer go through a store's inventory sniffing the rugs. A buyer should learn to distinguish the look and feel of wool from other materials. While there are more scientific means of testing for wool, they are usually not practical in the context of purchasing a rug from a store or Indian arts dealer.

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This video is Dr. J. Sublette, CEO Medicine Man Gallery. Mark Sublette will discuss how professional art dealers purchase and value authentic Navajo rugs. This video will help you decide if you want to buy your first rug or if you have been collecting for years. The Navajo Chiefs' blanket is one of the most beloved Navajo blanket styles. Native American art expert J. Mark Sublette explains the finer points of authentic Navajo Chief’s blankets. This includes their history, the phases and how to identify them through each historical phase. Navajo textile expert, Dr. J. Mark Sublette explains when to date Navajo Navajo blankets. This video will provide an overview on the characteristics of authentic Navajo blankets, as well as how to identify them.

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It is a Chief Blanket variant. It combines elements from the Third Phase Chief Blanket and what are known as Moqui blankets. These have black and white stripes and are associated to the time when many Navajos were served as indentured servants in Hispanic families in northern New Mexico. Fake or imitations are common in Mexico, India, Pakistan, and Ukraine. There are also a few forgeries that have been made in the United States. Fake rugs from Mexico are made on a horizontal Spanish/European loom. Each end of the loom has warps attached. While there may be a bundle of warps cabled at each end to give dimensional stability, there won't be side cords like in a genuine Navajo rug. The rug should be removed from the loom once it is done. It will have the warp ends hanging from each end. It is necessary to sew the ends of the rug back together in order to create a Navajo rug. A non-functional set of end cords can be applied while you do this. To complete the fake, side cords may be added.

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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.