Featured Seeking information about Native American Rug With Red Design

Hi there! This is a rug which has been stored in my family home for many years. I would love to know about it's history, what tribe it may be associated with, it's age, it's meaning, how it was made, and any other miscellaneous details. Any help will be appreciated! This rug is approximately 25 inches by 50 inches. Thank you! Carman

 

I would like to see some closeups of the structure at the corners to confirm, but it looks like it is Navajo, in the Ganado style. Here is some information on the unique Navajo weaving technique, and the style associated with the Ganado trading post -

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

https://www.medicinemangallery.com/collections/navajo-ganado-rugs?page=1

 

Okay, thank you! I will try to take some closeups of the corners and post them!

 

I agree with 2mb: Navajo. Nice color!!

 

Hello! I just now posted pictures of the 4 corners. Hope the pictures are helpful. I can take more if needed! Thanks again!

 

Thanks for the additional photos. The structure looks right for Navajo weaving, although the corner tassels have gone missing - not uncommon for older Navajo rugs. Based on the quality of the wool, the colors (including the "Ganado red"), and design, I think it probably dates to the first quarter of the 20th century (c. 1900-1920s).

 

Oops....I inadvertently duplicated one of the corner pictures. Here is the other one.

Thank you for the information! I am wondering whether you have any idea what the design on the rug means? And, what would they have used for the red color? Thanks!

 

The design may not have a specific meaning. At that time the designs were often suggested by the traders who purchased the rugs for resale, and were sometimes copied from patterns that were familiar and popular on rugs imported from Persia and the Middle East. The red dye was probably a chemically manufactured aniline dye.

If you follow the link for Medicine Man Gallery that I posted above, you will find a good explanation of this history as well as the colors and dye used. Be sure to click on the red "Read More".