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Navajo saddle blankets, a unique form of Navajo weaving, are a rare form. Medicine Man Gallery owner Dr. J. Mark Sublette discusses the amazing Navajo blankets featured in the gallery's 2009 exhibit. The topics include form, style, and appeal to collectors. Whether you are looking to purchase a rug for your home, or just curious about its value, an appraisal is a must. Appraisers are familiar with Navajo rug values and have the ability to value them from the beginning to the end. When selling a Navajo rug, there are three options: a professional retailer or a museum. You can also sell it online via sites like eBay. Potential buyers will be more interested in professional appraisals that include a certificate proving authenticity. Appraisers who are certified attend state conventions. They also have a wide network of clients.

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Make sure you buy a Navajo rug from a dealer close to the reservation. Rugs bought from faraway places are difficult to authenticate. It is a good investment in American art and a way of supporting local artists. Avoid buying a rug at a department store. The designer may have just referenced a Navajo oil on the rug to give it a look that suggests it was made in Navajo.

southwest native american rugs

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Motifs probably derived from oriental rugs include repeated hook shapes (often called “latch hooks”), the “waterbug” shaped like an “X” with a bar through the middle, the “airplane” or T-shape with rounded ends and, in a small number of weavings, rosettes. An even more lasting and fundamental influence was the concept of a large central motif in one, two or three parts that covers almost all of the ground between the borders. Even the concept of the border itself, usually in two or three layers with at least one in a geometric pattern, is probably traceable to oriental carpet design. Though introduced in the regional around Crystal, these motifs and ideas quickly spread to other areas of the Reservation and are found on many rugs woven throughout the past century.

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They knew the importance of beautiful, eye-catching design. They often added their personal touches to the overall rug design. Sometimes the personal touch can take the form of a symbol. Typically, lightning bolts are seen along with sun rays. All these symbols have a significance, which indicates what the weaver was thinking at the time they began to weave the rug. It is one of the special things about these rugs. Navajo rugs tend to be more expensive than other rugs. The Navajo rugs cost more because of their outstanding craftsmanship and history. It will not be easy to compare a Navajo Navajo rugs with something made in a modern factory. If you are considering a Navajo rugs you should know that it is a work of art with a rich past and is of exceptional quality.

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Finally, you will see a Zapotec rugs at the right. You can see the fringe at bottom. This is the rug most often confused for a Navajo weaving. The yarns used in these rugs are often hand spun, hand-dyed, and require a lot skill. The colors are not Navajo and the pattern is smaller than what you would see in a typical Navajo piece. I offer a $20-50 per-item identification service if you require assistance in identifying a textile. Click here to send me information regarding the textile you're interested in. The Eyedazzler would be the name that the weaver would have used. There might also be some who call it an eyedazzler.

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native american rugs-images
native american rugs-images

During the last two decades of the 19th century, most Navajo blankets were woven of spongy, loosely spun yarns most frequently dyed with aniline reds, oranges and yellows.

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There is a company that has a line of more convincing fakes made in India. They sell these rugs as "inspired by Navajo rug weaving traditions" and are an attempt "to reproduce the exact feel, texture, weave and look of the Navajo hand-woven rug." Their tag line is, "The Most Authentic Reproductions Based on the Navajo Weaving Tradition." These bogus Navajo rugs are complete with side cords, section lines and end finishes that can fool you because they are very convincing.

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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.