Navajo blankets, rugs and weavings
Regional Navajo rugs history - page 1 of 3

During the Navajo regional rug period 1940 to 1974, several geographic areas of the southwest, emerged as Navajo Indian rug art or style centers. Navajo blankets and Navajo weavings from one region became notably different from Navajo weavings of another region. Each regional weaving was embodied with its own distinctive style, art, color, dye and design; and the Navajo weaving style center was easily recognized. Four areas in the southwest had by the early 1900s emerged as style centers: Crystal, Ganado, Chinle and Wide Ruins. Two more geographic areas achieved regional style status in the 1940s: Two Grey Hills and Shiprock Yei. Three additional area Navajo weavings styles were accepted in the 1950s: Teec Nos Pos, Lukachukai, and Storm; and lastly in 1974, Burntwater was embraced as a Navajo regional style rug.

Although in days gone by, the regional areas were the sole suppliers for the Navajo blankets, rugs and weavings bearing the area names and patterns; today, Navajo weavings of all styles are woven throughout the Navajo Indian reservation. There are no longer regional rugs, only regional styles. The Navajo rug style names will probably continue, but the southwest geographic boundaries that gave birth to the regional styles are now merged. Regional styles, account for only about 25 percent of total current Navajo rug production. Most contemporary weavers do not steadfastly adhere to Navajo regional rug styles. Some weavers, regardless of their reservation home, may prefer one rug art design while residing in a different regional area. The majority of weavers like to mix styles, and experiment with dyes, color compositions and designs, and may create a weave totally different from what is usually created in the southwest region in which they live. These Navajo blankets, rugs and weavings are called general rugs, and represent 40% of the contemporary southwest Navajo Indian rug art production. Another exceptional artist, is the Navajo who challenges herself to craft the complex Navajo specialty blankets and weavings.

Crystal initially emerged as a regional style and center during the Rug Period 1890-1920, but the design radically transformed in the 1940's. The typical contemporary Crystal is banded not bordered, featuring vegetal-dyed yarns in warm golds, browns, greens, and a touch of black. Occasionally a weaver deviates and employs either very pale or very dark hues. Though a variety of patterns can be found in the bands of color, a common type is a two color, either straight or wavy line configuration.

Crystal larger view

Ganado emerged as one of the original style centers during the Rug Period 1890-1920, and is often thought of as the classic Navajo rug. An uncomplicated geometric design theme dominated by the serrate, or stair-stepped diamond, on a beautifully dark red background, characterizes the Ganado. Ganado rug colors are traditionally red, black, gray and white, usually with a border of black or red, and sometimes an additional inner border. In some pieces one diamond is drawn out from end to end; in others, three adjoining or interlocking diamonds fill most of the space. Remaining areas may be filled with crosses, frets, triangles or zigzags.

Ganado larger view

The Chinle rug style appeared during the Revival Period 1920-1940, and is distinctively reminiscent of the old borderless Navajo blankets. The Chinle weaver combines subtle vegetal dyes with a few chemical dyes, and some darker color in the patterns. Chinle rugs are banded, and usually woven in browns and golds, along with natural wools in whites and grays. The traditional Chinle style is a simplified version of stripes and bands enhanced with a serrated diamond motif.

Chinle larger view

navajo indian rugs regional rug history - read more
navajo blankets & weavings specialty rugs history

Taos Trading Post is an online store, offering a tasteful variety of authentic Native American Indian rugs. We have been buying rugs for over 20 years, are family owned and operated, and committed to providing our customers with quality rugs, coupled with unsurpassed service. Our store sells only those weavings that meet our superior standards; and will therefore provide you, the customer, with years of pleasure. We stock a choice selection of contemporary Native American rugs, including Navajo, Mexican Zapotec and Indian rugs. We offer an attractive selection of authentic hand spun Navajo wool rugs in regional rug styles, including the popular Ganado, Storm, Two Grey Hills, and Teec Nos Pos designs, and our pledge of authenticity. Whether you prefer an authentic Navajo weaving or replica, our Southwest rugs will introduce the Native American Indian atmosphere to your home. Navajo, Indian, Mexican Zapotec and Southwest rugs, blankets and weavings for sale online. Native American Indian and Southwest rug art.