rubber backed 5 x 7 native american rugs
It is obvious that intricate designs are harder to weave. It is the same story for tight weaving.
Navajo saddle-blankets are a form of Navajo weaving that is unusual. Medicine Man Gallery's owner, Dr. J. Sublette, discusses these remarkable Navajo saddle blankets in this article. Mark Sublette discusses these incredible Navajo Navajo quilts that were on display at the gallery in 2009. Topics covered include style, form, appeal, and collector appeal.
There will usually be a dark border which can be embellishedon one side with ‘teeth.’ Clouds, water beetles, arrows, feathers, andgeometric designs are throughout. A pictorial usuallyfeatures items in the daily life of a weaver. There can be landscapes with animals, plants, etc., even tractors. If there are borders, they will usually be dark. These are pictorial rugs that show ceremonial sandpaintings.They are square and can contain supernatural figures with magical trappings. They can also include common elements such as snakes, feathers, lizards, andwhirling logs. Because these rugs are sacred, only a few Navajo weavers arewilling or able to produce them. To protect these individuals from spiritualharm, special ceremonial sings must be conducted.
It dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, when a Scandinavian immigrant (from Norway) named John Chantland bartered unspecified goods for the blanket. It has remained in the family until it’s recent sale. The Native American blanket is a relic of the “First Phase” of Navajo weaving. Using techniques purloined from the Puebla, the Navajos created tightly-woven blankets of a simple striped design, made from the finest wool around. These Native American blankets were highly valued and very expensive; so much so that they were usually worn exclusively by Native American Chiefs. They were also prized by Spanish and native traders.
It is obvious that intricate designs are harder to weave. It is the same story for tight weaving.
Pictorials made before the 1940s are relatively uncommon and usually command a premium price from collectors. After World War II, however, more weavers began making pictorial weavings, frequently filling a small rug with a single scene. Types that have been especially popular since the 1970s include landscape scenes which usually feature red cliffs or mountains, blue sky and clouds, juniper and pine trees, hogans, farm animals, trucks, and people. Another common format is called the “Tree of Life” pattern, consisting of a corn stalk rising from a Navajo wedding basket, with birds adorning the leaves of the cornstalk. Despite the obvious symbolism of patterns such as the “Tree of Life,” most pictorial motifs had no specific religious meaning; they simply were objects common in the culture or of special interest to the weaver.
Even though fringe is not present, it does not necessarily mean you are looking for a Navajo rug. Mexican weavers might tuck in the ends of the warp to make it appear continuous, even though it may not be. In such cases, the weaving tends to be thicker at its ends, then thins out.
It should be noted, however, that many rugs produced throughout the century did not conform to a particular regional style and are now difficult to assign to a specific trading post. In recent years as weavers have become more mobile and independent of local trading posts, they often choose to weave patterns originated outside of their area. Many also combine motifs and characteristics from several different regions. As a result, the regional style names are now mostly used to identify common pattern types without necessarily referring to the exact place of origin of a specific weaving.
