People who enjoy decorating their homes in rugs of many types and designs will have heard of the Navajo rugs. These rugs are authentic in appearance and demonstrate the high craftsmanship of the ancient rugweavers. Many museums organize auctions to offer ancient Navajo rugs, often at a premium beyond what you could imagine. What is the secret to this price? Why is Navajo rugs less expensive than other types? There are many reasons why Navajo rugs are so highly valued and popular.
Many people who would never visit the Reservation appreciated the exotic designs and laborious handcraftsmanship of Navajo weaving. Proponents of the Arts & Crafts design movement found that the bold, geometric designs harmonized beautifully with their simple furniture and handmade accessories. By 1896, C.N. Cotton, a trader in Gallup, New Mexico had issued a catalogue in an effort to expand his market to eastern retailers. Other traders, most notably Lorenzo Hubble at Ganado, Arizona and J.B. Moore at Crystal, New Mexico, followed up with their own catalogues in the early years of the new century, focusing specifically on rugs. Navajo weaving had quickly gained a national audience.
Once you are ready to have a Navajo rug of your own, you will want to know where to buy one. In order to receive a quality and authentic Navajo rug, you should seek out more reputable dealers. You will know you have found one when they are dedicated to answering any questions you may have. They will be direct and transparent with their answers. Also, they will have no issue providing you with a guarantee of authenticity to make sure you are getting a genuine rug.
The Burntwater style is newer and is basically an expansionof the traditional TwoGrey Hillsdesigns by weavers in the Wide Ruins/Burntwater area south of Gando. The second type of rug for Navajo rug ID are the 3 styles of banded rugs--Chinle, Wide Ruins, and Crystal. The Chinle style is the simplest of the 3 styles. There arestrips of plain color alternating with bands containing repeated geometricdesigns. These can include squash blossoms, stacked chevrons, and diamonds, andmay even have railroad tracks. Chinle is in the geographic center of the Reservation andwas thus a crossroad for travel and commerce.
Section Lines. Many Navajo rugs will feature what Indian art dealers call, "lazylines." It is an inaccurate and offensive term. I hope the term "Section Line" will replace it. A section line line refers to a diagonal joint or break in a rug's weave. It is where a weaver works on a particular section of the rug instead of working across it all. She weaves one part, then goes on to weave the next section. This creates the diagonal segment line. All Navajo rugs do not have section lines.
This patterning technique became known as the Eyedazzler and continues to be popular to the present day. Both the banded and diamond pattern homespun blankets of the late 19th century are generically known as Transitional Blankets because they signaled the end of Navajo blanket production and ushered in the era of the Navajo rug.
These blankets are still worth a lot of money in certain circles. As of publication, these textiles typically cost between $40- $50. Germantown rugs and Navajo rugs are the other authentic Navajo rugs featuring fringe. These rare antique rugs have fringe added after weaving was complete. Almost all Navajo rugs have wool threads. These threads are typically rougher in texture and appearance than cotton or linen. Faux rugs will usually have fringe and ridges near the rug's edge. Rigging can occur on the ends when warp threads have been cut into the rug and run back into it.You might have noticed the price ranges for rugs vary when you shop. Some rugs fall within the range of affordability, while others cost more.