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Up for sale is an authentic, antique Navajo rug dating back to the late 1800s / early 1900s Transitional Period (circa 1885–1910). This historic piece represents the era when Diné (Navajo) weavers shifted from making soft wearing blankets to heavier floor textiles, hand-weaving this piece on a traditional vertical upright wooden loom.
Dimensions:
- Width: 23 inches
- Length: 39 inches
Style & Design:
This textile features a striking "Eye-Dazzler" pattern, a style that evolved out of the late-19th-century classic traditions. The free-form, pre-regional design showcases a central axis of interlocking, serrated diamond medallions flanked by a sharp, jagged inner border.
Materials & Weaving Technique:
- True to the Transitional Period, this rug is constructed with a thick, hand-spun wool warp (the internal structural threads visible in the worn areas), rather than modern cotton strings.
- The palette features beautifully aged natural, undyed wool shades—including heathered grey, cream, and deep dark brown/black—complemented by a rich red colored with early synthetic aniline dyes typical of the late 1800s.
- Features authentic remnants of side-selvedge cords along the edges, confirming its genuine Navajo origin.
Condition Notes:
This is a true historic artifact showing substantial wear, character, and thinning consistent with its extreme age. Please review the detailed close-up photos carefully before purchasing:
- Significant fraying, unraveling, and wool loss along the outer edges and corners.
- Exposed, loose, and broken warp/fringe strands at the ends.
- Areas of surface wear, thinning, and small breaks/holes in the weave (as pictured).
Perfect as a historic display piece, wall hanging, or addition to a fine Native American arts and textile collection. Sold exactly as shown.
