Buying A Navajo Rug
With a traditional Navajo rug, the weaver will have tended the sheep the wool comes from, sheared the wool, spun it and dyed it before even beginning to weave. As you can see, Navajo rugs represent much time and labor by the weaver. These rugs can take several years to complete for a larger rug. Navajo rugs are an expensive investment but well worth the cost.
The first step in choosing your rug is to unroll it and lay it flat. The seller should have no problem with this and if she or he does take your business elsewhere. Now that the rug is lying flat you can asses it.
You will want to check several things. Now that it is spread out in all its glory do you like the rugs tone and statement? Are there any wrinkles when the rug is lying flat? Is the rug the same size at one end as the other or is it uneven? As with all endeavors there are levels of competency among Navajo weavers. The rug may be an original Navajo weaving, yet still be of poor quality for your needs.
The next thing to consider is the uniformity of the color. Since Navajo rugs are dyed by hand often using natural dyes some variation may be acceptable but generally a high quality rug will have uniform coloration. Again, laying the rug out flat is the only way to really get a true impression of its many qualities.
You will want to part the weft threads to be sure the warp is wool and not cotton. A cotton warp will not do well as a floor covering and is a sign of a poorer quality rug. I tend to think of Navajo rugs as art to hang on the wall so I might be fine with a cotton warp and a lower price. Check the horizontal and vertical lines of the rug. Do they appear even and well lined up?
Navajo rugs are hand woven so all rugs will have some imperfections. With these tips you can choose the best navajo rug for you with confidence. Art is really in the ey of the beholder so if you find a rug you love don’t let a few imperfections stop you from buying it.
Tags: buying a navajo rug, How to Choose a Navajo Rug, Navajo rug guide
