☆Vintage Hand Knotted Indigenous Zapotec Rug 55\'\'x30\" Heartline Bear Signed LOS For Sale

☆Vintage Hand Knotted Indigenous Zapotec Rug 55\'\'x30\" Heartline Bear Signed LOS

This vintage heartline bear rug is a quality, tightly woven, handmade piece crafted by a Zapotec artisan sometime in the latter 1900s, and is signed LOS in the actual weaving. Measuring 55 inches by 30 inches (4.7 x 3.5 feet) this traditional Native American textile showcases design elements that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the southwestern indigenous peoples.

The Line of the Spirit (LOS) was a unique collection of high quality designer rugs and wall hangings, noted not only for the exciting design content, but also for the use of color. The depth of color, in combination with the subtle natural changes and gradations in tonality, provide a special feeling of timelessness.

Using the combined talents and experience of the founder/designer, Richard Enzer (1943-2009), and the designer/directors, together with a carefully chosen team of fine Zapotec Indian weavers, a new body of work emerged, setting the standard for excellence in an original collection of rugs and wall hangings. Combining traditional design elements that honor past cultures with new adaptations, the Line of the Spirit has the visual and emotional feeling of the old and the new.

What makes the Line of the Spirit different from any other collection is not only the collaboration of designer/weavers, but also the meticulous  attention to detail. From the first step to the last, everything is carefully overseen and checked to insure each piece is individually a special representation of the art form.

The Line of the Spirit was a cross-cultural collaboration using design elements from cultures as diverse as nomadic tribal from the mideast to Navajo Pueblo in the American Southwest. Incorporated into each design are precisely executed floating elements representing ancient concepts of life-sustaining forces which add certain dynamics and energy.

To begin with, weekly forays were made to a remote Zapotec village in the mountains, where for generations, women have been spinning and carding wool using the ancient drop-spindle method. Because nothing has come between the fleece and human fingers, all the natural oils remain in the yarn. This gives the wool its richness of texture and resistance to soil. The yarn is then taken back to the weaving village where each carefully selected ball of yarn is spun into skeins in preparation for the dyeing.

Once again, a combination of the old and the new is used in the dyeing process. The finest quality of dyes imported from Switzerland is custom-mixed by hand in cauldrons over an open fire. The dyer, who worked with The Line of the Spirit since its inception, was a Zapotec woman who was assisted by her son. They handgained each dye lot, giving the wool a variation in tonal quality. After being washed and rinsed in the river, the yarns are then hung out on poles to dry. At this point in the process, the yarns are ready to be distributed to each weaver.

Two outstanding Zapotec Indian brothers, who are master weavers in their own right, were the art directors. They were out in the village every day working with each weaver. Their job was to insure that each piece reflects the specific qualities that make a Line of the Spirit weaving a collectible one. Not only did they provide the particular yarns they deemed necessary to that stage of the weaving development, but they applied modifications and adaptations while the work was in progress. They spent long hours conferring with each weaver to insure the perfection of each element of the design.

It is this combination of dynamic design, attention to detail, depth and changes in color that make this collection a viable alternative to more traditional rugs, providing an elegance that goes far beyond just a \"Southwestern\" look. It is an art form designed to endure. With the LOS logo, the registered trademark, woven into each piece, the buyer is assured of the authenticity of each Line of the Spirit tapestry.

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The Bear is the guardian of the West and one of the six sacred guardians in indigenous belief. It is seen as a powerful force for healing, providing strength, and guiding one toward wisdom and self-knowledge. The Bear is invaluable during times of change and transition, offering guidance and protection when facing conflict or new challenges. 

The heartline, an arrow running from the mouth to the heart, represents the powerful \"breath of life\" and the vital life force that connects the spiritual and physical worlds. It signifies the spirit or soul, where faith and inner strength reside, connecting the bear\'s innate power to its spiritual essence.

The heartline bear is a powerful symbol of strength and introspection. In indigenous culture, the Bear represents inner power and the ability to reflect on ones circumstances to gain wisdom. This animal is seen as a spiritual guide, teaching individuals to look within themselves for answers. The Bear also offers protection and is often used in healing rituals to provide strength and resilience to the participants.

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This rug is in excellent original condition, and is signed LOS by the native artisan in the weaving. Please see the high-resolution photographs and zoom in if desired to see the overall quality of the rug. This is the actual piece you\'ll receive.

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