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.

If you are in the market for a new rug, you may want to check its authenticity first. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act prohibits the sale of American Indian crafts that are not authentic. While a good seller will tell you how long it has been in business, you should be careful to avoid buying a counterfeit rug. This law applies to Native American rugs and blankets, as well as all other American Indian products marketed in the U.S.

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Navajo rugs usually have a wool warp. If you’re not an expert in fibers, it may be difficult for you to tell what kind of warp was used, but in general cotton and linen are smoother than wool. Wool is, well, wooly. As you can see from the picture at the right, it has little fibers that stick out from the warp threads. Remember that there is one genuine Navajo rug (the Gallup throw) that is woven with a cotton warp. Also bear in mind that cotton was widely used as warp in the late 1800’s. Look at the other indicators to determine the authenticity of the piece, but use the fiber content of the warp as part of your authentication.

Old Native American Wool Rugs
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seattle native american tribes that weave rugs

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.

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Dr. J. Mark Sublette discusses the best way to care authentic Navajo rugs. This video is a must-see for anyone interested in authentic Navajo rugs, blankets, and rugs. Dr. J. Mark Sublette discusses the pitfalls of the process and condenses his 25-years of experience into a single tutorial video.

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native american looking rugs

Knowing the origins of the Navajo rugs will help you understand why they cost more. What is the material used to make Navajo rugs? In the mid-19th-century, weavers used three-ply yarn, also known as Saxony. Saxony stands for high-quality silky and naturally dyed years. When it comes to natural dyes they are superior to artificial. Natural dyes last longer, are brighter and don't fade so easily. Navajo rugs have a longer life span than any other. These are the same factors that were true for the Navajo rugs natural dyes. Saxony has a high quality material.The price of brand rugs will be generally lower than those of the older ones because they are less valuable. However, the overall condition may determine the price of an ancient rug.