native american round rugs
native american rugs and wall hangings
The name of the rug comes from a settlement in the NE cornerof the Navajo nation and means ‘Cottonwoods in a Circle.’ This is a very interestingrug and has some distinguishable design features. In the center of the rug willbe a rectangle that represents the center of the universe. The 4 rectangles,one in each corner of the rug, represent the homes of the four winds or thefour sacred mountains of the Navajo world. Zigzag lightning lines connect thesecorners with the center. Colors of the original storm rugs were usually red, black,and white on a natural gray or red background. Today you will find naturalbrowns and vegetal dye colors.
native american style area rugs
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. Designs his weavers developed before 1911 were still being made, virtually unchanged, as late as the 1950s. These oriental-influenced patterns are now known as Early Crystal rugs.
hand woven native american rugs
Many Navajo rugs have what Indian artists dealers call "lazylines." It is an insensitive and insulting term. I hope it will be replaced with the "Section Line." Section line lines are a break or diagonal joint in the weave that allows a weaver to work on a specific section of the rug and not have to reach the whole rug. She weaves one piece, then she moves on to weave another. This creates a diagonal section line. Not all Navajo rugs feature section lines. The Mexican imitation Navajo rugs' end borders are usually wider than those of a genuine Navajo rug. Side borders are also often wider. If the fringe at the ends is an extension of the warps then the rug is not authentic Navajo.
native american round rugs
wool native american rugs
There are also distinctive features of Zapotec rugs, such as the fringe on the bottom of the rug. Although similar in style to Navajo rugs, Zapotec rugs are difficult to recognize due to their overlapping patterns and colors. They also have less pattern than a typical Navajo piece of the same size. A few things to look for in a Navajo rug can help you differentiate between the two.
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Early blankets made in the middle of the 1800s are rarer than others, with 50-plus examples currently known. Collectors treasure Navajo blankets because of their rarity. Many consider a fine Navajo Navajo scarf to be the cornerstone in their collection. These textiles sell for high prices because of their rarity as well as collector enthusiasm. Navajo blankets offer a visual appeal that rivals any modern art. Navajo blankets have a unique blend of balance, composition, contrast and bold stripes. The simple tools that the weavers used to create Navajo fabrics makes them all the more impressive. The looms were simple and could be set up outside, or under a tree branch.


native american wool rugs
Zapotec and Mexican knock-offs are known for their wide end borders. End cords are often added after the rug is woven. The adjacent cut warp ends will be buried together with the warp ends, as previously described. It is important to note that many knockoffs, regardless if they are of the same origin, copy designs straight from books. The Zapotec are the most prolific producers of fake Navajo rugs. Teotitlan de Valle, where Zapotec rugs are made, has a large industry dedicated to producing fakes and knockoffs. They create the most convincing fakes and make the highest number.
rugs native american
Navajo rugs are free from ridges on the ends. If someone is trying to pass a rug off Navajo as Navajo (or just to make it look more Navajo), they may take the time to run the warps through the rug to remove fringe. However this causes ridges at the ends. You'll be able to see the doubled-up weft warps by separating the yarns. I will add a picture when I find another good example. This is quite common in Ye’i rug copies made in Mexico.
