Hand Woven Native American Rugs

area rugs with native american designs

Dr. J. Mark Sublette discusses the proper way to care for authentic Navajo rugs and Navajo blankets. This video is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in collecting authentic Navajo rugs or blankets. Dr. J. Mark Sublette explains the pitfalls and condenses over 25 years of experience into one tutorial video. This video by Medicine Man Gallery CEO Dr. J. Mark Sublette will explain how professional art dealers value and buy authentic Navajo rugs and Navajo blankets. Whether you haven’t purchased your first rug yet or have been collecting for years, you need to see this video.

Hand Woven Native American Rugs

The same factors that apply to the Navajo rugs' natural dyes are also applicable to the material. Saxony is a premium material. Brand rugs are generally less expensive than older ones, as they don't hold much value. The overall condition of the antique rugs can affect the price. The price of damaged or worn-out rugs will be lower, for example. Even with all the issues, the rug will still be more expensive than brand-new ones simply because it is older. You can see the exemplary craftsmanship in the Navajo rugs by looking at their design. The ancient Navajo rugs were woven by skilled weavers.

southwest design rugs

This piece of history that attaches to the rugs makes them so important. And it is one of the leading reasons they have such a higher price tag. We have already discussed a little bit about the history attached to these rugs. But that is not the only reason they are unique and relatively more expensive than the others. There are other reasons as well. Authentic Navajo rugs are woven by hand on a Navajo Loom. The standard sizes include 5×8, 4×6, and 6×9. If you look at these common sizes, you can understand that these rugs are generally woven in a rectangular configuration. And in this configuration, some of the large sizes can take years to weave.

vintage original native american rugs

vintage original native american rugs

The Spanish introduced the longer than wide serape form that was easier to make on European-style looms. Mantas and serapes were generally used in the same way: wrapped around the shoulders with one long edge turned over as a “collar.” However, mantas also were used by women as wrap-around dresses. Serapes only rarely had a slit in the middle for the head which made them ponchos. Navajo weavers made both the manta and serape styles during the eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries along with shirts, dresses, breechcloths, and sashes.

southwest runner

Authentic Navajo rugs are made by hand, often over a period of several years, and are usually made of quality sheep wool. They can cost thousands of dollars and are meant to be heirlooms for generations to come. Authentic Navajo rugs have unique designs, such as the Teec Nos Pas rugs from northeastern Arizona. This uniqueness makes each piece more beautiful and adds to the price tag.

southwest runner
indian area rugs
indian area rugs

These rugs feature different patterns on their surface that are very unique among other rugs. As we discussed, the Navajo handlooms have multiple yarns that are interwoven by the weavers. This allows for multiple design strips. These stripes stood out from the many others on the same rug, and were extremely thin. The corners of the Navajo rugs also had borders around them that represented their culture, heritage and spirituality. Through the tiny details, these borders told the stories of their lives. These rugs are made of premium wool and yarn. They will last for years. They are delicate and should be cleaned by hand, not the washing machine. The vibrant colors of the Navajo rugs have been dyed with vegetable dyes or natural pigments. These colors are durable and will not wash out during cleaning. If they are properly maintained, such as by keeping them clean and getting enough sun, they can last many years. There are four main types of Navajo rugs. They are Ganado (two grey hills), Klagetoh, Burntwater, and Klagetoh.These categories can be classified according to the differences in their designs. They are more straightforward than the two other categories, with the Ganado and Klagetoh having simpler designs. The Navajo weaver thought of four colors to express their spirituality and culture. These colors were: blue, white, yellow, black and These colors served as symbolic elements to represent the tribe's tribe through the rugs.

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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.

southwestern rug depot