If there is a bundle of warps at the edge of each side, then it is unlikely that the rug is genuine. Very few Navajo rugs will have such bundles and even then there would be only two or three warp threads that would make up that bundle and there would be only a single warp thread next to that bundle. Most Navajo rugs have side cords as I described and virtually no Navajo rugs have warp thread fringe at both ends.

Authenticity, Regional characteristics, documentation, and price are just some of the things to look for when buying Native American rugs. Read on to learn how to tell the difference between a traditional rug and a counterfeit one. Then you can make a well-informed decision on whether the piece you’ve just purchased is genuine. There are several other things to look for, too, like the color of the rug and its price.

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Michelle Radcliff owned a retail home furnishings business for eight years. Radcliff offers decorating advice on her blog, Home Decorating News, is a regular contributor on interior design at LoveToKnow.com and earned certification as an interior decorator from Penn Foster College in 2013. Authenticity, Regional characteristics, documentation, and price are just some of the things to look for when buying Native American rugs. Read on to learn how to tell the difference between a traditional rug and a counterfeit one. Then you can make a well-informed decision on whether the piece you’ve just purchased is genuine. There are several other things to look for, too, like the color of the rug and its price.

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native american rugs near me

Zapotec and other Mexican knock-offs often have wide end borders and end cords that are added after the rug is woven. The warp ends will be buried along side the adjacent cut warp ends as described previously. It should be noted that many knock-offs, regardless of origin, use designs taken directly from photos in books. The Zapotec are the #1 makers of counterfeit Navajo rugs. In Teotitlan de Valle (Zapotec rugs) much of their entire industry is devoted to making fakes and knock-offs. They make the hightest number and most convincing fakes.

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The end borders in Mexican imitation Navajo rugs are generally much wider than in a genuine Navajo rug. Side borders are often wider as well. If the rug has fringe at both ends that are extensions of the warps, then it is not a genuine Navajo rug. Wool is the standard material used in the making of a Navajo rug. There are a few genuine Navajo rugs made using synthetic materials such as acrylic. If encountering one, it could be looked at as the result of a Navajo woman weaving her own cheap knock-off. In such case, it probably doesn't matter is it is real or not.

Native American Patterned Rugs - Wool
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native american indian rugs sale

Pendleton Woolen Mills is Pendleton's only remaining pioneer mill for blankets. They also sell to other non-Indians, but almost half of their annual output goes to Indians. Navajo rugs start at $100 for a smaller one and can go up to several thousands for a larger, more old-fashioned one. As you can see, the young lady seated behind Jane Hyden is wearing a Navajo a Biil (pronounced “beel”) and also known as a Rug Dress.

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They are so significant because they contain a bit of history. It is the reason they are more expensive. We've already touched on the history of these rugs. However, this is not the only reason these rugs are rare and more expensive than the rest. There are also other reasons. Authentic Navajo rugs woven on a Navajo Loom by hand. The standard sizes are: 5x8, 4,x6, and 6,x9. These common sizes will show that rugs are typically woven in rectangular shapes. Some large sizes may take several years to weave in this configuration.

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