Native American Rug - Help Identify

Discussion in 'Textiles, Needle Arts, Clothing' started by antiquecrazy, Jun 21, 2025.

  1. antiquecrazy

    antiquecrazy Member

    Can anyone tell me about this rug? From whom we got it from, I would think it was from 1960's. Size is 48" x 77". I thought it was interesting colors. IMG_0829.jpg
     
  2. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    My first impression is that it may be a Mexican copy of a Navajo Yei rug - the colors are atypical, and I associate those stepped key patterns around the borders with Mexican designs. But we will need to see detailed closeups of the edge construction (long and short sides) and the corners to get a better idea.
     
    Any Jewelry, pearlsnblume and komokwa like this.
  3. antiquecrazy

    antiquecrazy Member

    It appears that the shorter side has a larger stich pattern on the short side 48"and a smaller on the 77" side. I have also attached what the corner looks like IMG_0841.jpg
     
    komokwa likes this.
  4. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    These details are not characteristic of Navajo weaving.

    The fat hem on the short side (hiding the warp ends) indicates that the rug was made on a floor loom. A long series of warp threads would have been wound onto the beam of the loom, which allows multiple rugs to be woven on the same set up. When the weaver was finished, the warps left between each rug would be cut and either knotted into a fringe or, as in this case, folded over and hemmed.

    One of the distinctive features of Navajo weaving is the use of an upright loom with a single continuous warp. Weaving proceeds from the bottom of the warp all the way to the end of the warp at the top. With the exception of the small tourist pieces known as "Gallup throws", only one rug is woven at a time, leaving no loose warp ends that need to be cut. (In the case of the Gallup throws, more than one little rug might be woven on the same warp set up, and the warps between each rug might be secured by tying small knots.)

    The tassel at the corner of your rug is added on, and braided. Many Navajo rugs have corner tassels, but they are an integral extension of the binding cords at top and bottom (a feature of how the warp is secured to the upper an lower loom bars) and the typical side selvage cords. The tassels on Navajo rugs are typically not braided, though often twisted together.

    The selvage on the long sides of your rug are plump, indicating the use of multiple warps to reinforce the edge. This feature is usually not seen in Navajo weaving.

    Here are a few references that may be helpful -

    https://weavinginbeauty.com/navajo-rug-101/how-to-identify-navajo-textiles

    https://statemuseum.arizona.edu/online-exhibit/19-century-navajo-weaving-asm/navajo-weaving-methods

    https://www.navajoindianrug.com/single-post/2016/04/19/is-my-rug-a-navajo-weaving
     
  5. komokwa

    komokwa The Truth is out there...!

    I don't like the tassel or edge wrap.....
    and even on a colourful Yei .. I expect to see balance , and a semblance of symmetry .

    they say 1960's on this one...

    [​IMG]

    I'm inclined to side with @2manybooks
     
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