Native American Rugs Los Angeles Olimpic Blvd

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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.

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.

Native American Rugs Los Angeles Olimpic Blvd

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There are 28 Styles of Navajo Rugs. Some Styles are more difficult to weave than others. Intricacy and tightness of the weave affect the value. Generally speaking, the tighter and finer the weave, the more valuable the piece. The condition of a Navajo Rug will of course affect the value as well. Weigh the condition issues (is it clean, straight, damaged, color run, fading, etc.) against your attraction to the weaving and decide. Sometime issues can be fixed - but that is another blog about Care & Repair.

native-american rugs wool

native-american rugs wool

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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They weaved them on their handmade vertical loom with hand-knotted features on the rugs. These distinctive features of weaving made them more popular in the southwest.The tourists admired these rugs because of their design and authenticity. As the Navajo’s cultural heritage was represented on these rugs, they easily attracted the tourists of this region. When the rugs started to reach out internationally, the Navajo was known as one of the most skilled tribes of ancient America. In the 20th century, these rugs began to expand in other countries and are known as pieces of native American art. Before the 15th century, the Navajos weaved these rugs only for their survival. But at the present time, these rugs became one the most demanding artistic pieces for decorating households. Actually, there are a bunch of several factors behind the production of the Navajo rugs which make them luxurious and expensive pieces. Some common reasons are stated here so that you can decide whether these rugs are worth the high price or not.

large southwestern area rugs
large native american area rugs
large native american area rugs

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.