Featured Navajo or Not?

I found this is my most-local thrift store. Another collector who actually works at the store said he saw it before it hit the floor, but didn't think it was Navajo, thought it was Mexican.

I looked carefully, and am convinced it's Navajo, but there have been 1-2 times in my life that I've actually been wrong.

Do you think it's authentic? 1960's?

Thanks for any and all comments.

Measures 54" x 32", so double saddle blanket size.

Not crazy cheap but I have store credit, so that's kinda like free, right?

 

I also got this 21" x 21" weaving at the same place, but it looks substantially older to me. Condition issues, of course, but also a 'lazy line' and crazy small / tight stitches. It took a lot of time to make. 1940's? The purple on the sides is weird. Looks like someone attempted a home repair on this.

Thanks on this one too!

(And sorry for two pieces in one thread!)












Ok-- thank you!

 

Yes, the larger one looks to be Navajo. But I hesitate about the smaller one, mainly because it appears to be made with commercially spun yarns. As you can see in the larger rug, traditional Navajo yarns are usually hand spun as single strands. The yarn used in the smaller rug is made up of multiple strands (looks like 3-ply), which would indicate a commercial, machine-spun yarn. The basic structure of the small piece looks Navajo, though, so it may date to a period when they sometimes traded for commercial yarns.

 

Some information about the use of commercial "Germantown" yarns in Navajo weaving -

https://www.shopgarlands.com/blogs/...O6REZZBxMfWBjKuPL8TJf0bmxUW4_OdfHWNEtK5NW-DaG

 

Thanks so much @2manybooks.

Wow-- according to that source, the small one might actually be 19th C. It looks old to me, for sure, but I wouldn't have guessed that old.

I've never had a Germantown weaving, if that is indeed what this is, so despite the small size and damage, I'm pretty excited.

 

both are known as eye dazzlers..

 

Yes, and I think both may be known as 'non-regional,' as they don't exemplify any specific, localized form associated with a particular area or trading post.

 

The condition of the little one would have made me snatch it first. Something that bad would have to have been treasured. I don't know Navaho weaving beyond...knowing it's weaving... but those would make my nose twitch.

 

Yeah there's definitely a certain look of age to it...

 

If nothing else, there had to be a story behind it.

 

Yeah. I wish I could know it.

 

Me too. It wouldn't even help if we spoke Dine; the darned rug can't talk.

 

The walrus is photo bombing.

 

Gorgeous display Pott ! Does your whole house look like this ?
PS-Arthur Erickson,eat your heart out

 

Can't trust those walrus!

Thanks! .....And, No! I wish!

 

...walruses...walri...

 

Kookoo kachoo!