Navajo Rug Exhibits

Navajo Textiles – The Charley Castles Collection

Kings Art Center, Hanford California
Exhibition: Saturday, September 11 – Saturday, October 16
Here are pictures from the opening reception and a close up of each of the 38 weavings.

Navajo Textiles Exhibit Image 002

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Navajo Textiles Exhibit Image 003

Navajo Textiles Exhibit Image 001

Navajo Textiles Exhibit Image 004

Navajo Textiles Exhibit Image 007

Navajo Textiles Exhibit Image 008

Navajo Textiles – The Charley Castles Collection

The 38 pieces featured in the exhibit can be viewed below. Click a piece for more information and to purchase.

Contemporary Storm Pattern Navajo Rug 289
Contemporary Storm Pattern Navajo Rug 289
SOLD

Transitional Navajo Saddle Blanket with Diagonal Weave 329
Transitional Navajo Saddle Blanket with Diagonal Weave 329
SOLD

Three Turkey Ruins Burntwater Navajo Weaving by Helen Bia 406
Three Turkey Ruins Burntwater Navajo Weaving by Helen Bia 406
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Crystal Revival Childs Blanket Navajo Weaving 528
Crystal Revival Childs Blanket Navajo Weaving 528
SOLD

Teec Nos Pos Navajo Rug Weaving for Sale by Master Weaver Lucy Begay 547
Teec Nos Pos Navajo Rug Weaving for Sale by Master Weaver Lucy Begay 547
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Three Turkey Ruins Burntwater Navajo Rug for Sale by Master Weaver Ruth Ann Tracy 548
Three Turkey Ruins Burntwater Navajo Rug for Sale by Master Weaver Ruth Ann Tracy 548
SOLD

Bisti Double Navajo Saddle Blanket 625
Bisti Double Navajo Saddle Blanket 625
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Toadlena Two Grey Hills Navajo Rug 735
Toadlena Two Grey Hills Navajo Rug 735
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Navajo Open Field Double Saddle Blanket for Sale 780
Navajo Open Field Double Saddle Blanket for Sale 780
SOLD

Tree of Life Pictorial Navajo Weaving 808
Tree of Life Pictorial Navajo Weaving 808
SOLD

Natural Colored J. B. Moore Crystal Navajo Rug with a Large Diamond with Crosses in the Center 881
Natural Colored J. B. Moore Crystal Navajo Rug with a Large Diamond with Crosses in the Center 881
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House Pictorial Navajo Rug in a Double Diamond Format 882
House Pictorial Navajo Rug in a Double Diamond Format 882
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JB Moore Crystal Trading Post Navajo Rug 888
JB Moore Crystal Trading Post Navajo Rug 888
SOLD

JB Moore Crystal Trading Post Navajo Rug for Sale 939
JB Moore Crystal Trading Post Navajo Rug for Sale 939
SOLD

J. B. Moore Crystal Trading Post Navajo Rug for Sale 959
J. B. Moore Crystal Trading Post Navajo Rug for Sale 959
SOLD

Ganado Navajo Rug for Sale with Diamond in Center and Half Diamonds Above and Below 987
Ganado Navajo Rug for Sale with Diamond in Center and Half Diamonds Above and Below 987
SOLD

Three Column Format Navajo Rug for Sale with Maltese Crosses in the Center 1014
Three Column Format Navajo Rug for Sale with Maltese Crosses in the Center 1014
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Pictorial Navajo Rug with Crosses Feathers and Diamonds 1020
Pictorial Navajo Rug with Crosses Feathers and Diamonds 1020
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Navajo Serape Blanket 1021
Navajo Serape Blanket 1021
SOLD

JB Moore Crystal Trading Post Storm Pattern Navajo Rug 1911 Catalog plate XXVIII 1047
JB Moore Crystal Trading Post Storm Pattern Navajo Rug 1911 Catalog plate XXVIII 1047
Click To Buy Now

Klagetoh Navajo Rug for Sale 1049
Klagetoh Navajo Rug for Sale 1049
SOLD

Outstanding Navajo Rug with an Unusual Motif 1052
Outstanding Navajo Rug with an Unusual Motif 1052
SOLD

Ganado Navajo Rug for Sale 1053
Ganado Navajo Rug for Sale 1053
SOLD

Germantown Navajo Dress Panel for Sale 1072
Germantown Navajo Dress Panel for Sale 1072
SOLD

Moki Navajo Rug 1119
Moki Navajo Rug 1119
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Navajo Mesa Rug 1121
Navajo Mesa Rug 1121
SOLD

Red Mesa Navajo Rug 1122
Red Mesa Navajo Rug 1122
SOLD

Germantown Navajo Blanket 1128
Germantown Navajo Blanket 1128
Click To Buy Now

Father Sky Mother Earth Sandpainting Navajo Weaving 1130J
Mother Earth Father Sky Sandpainting Navajo Weaving 1130J
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Teec Nos Pos Navajo Rug 1135
Teec Nos Pos Navajo Rug 1135
SOLD

Transitional Navajo Blanket 1136
Transitional Navajo Blanket 1136
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Two Grey Hills Navajo Rug 1140
Two Grey Hills Navajo Rug 1140
SOLD

Red Mesa Woman Style Navajo Chiefs Blanket / Rug 1141
Red Mesa Woman Style Navajo Chiefs Blanket / Rug 1141
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Red Mesa Navajo Rug 1142
Red Mesa Navajo Rug 1142
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Teec Nos Pos with Red Mesa Influence Navajo Rug 1144
Teec Nos Pos with Red Mesa Influence Navajo Rug 1144
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Large Navajo Teec Nos Pos Rug 1147
Large Navajo Teec Nos Pos Rug 1147
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Germantown Navajo Blanket 1148
Germantown Navajo Blanket 1148
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Germantown Navajo Single Saddle Blanket Sunday Saddle 1150
Germantown Navajo Single Saddle Blanket Sunday Saddle 1150
SOLD

Charleys Navajo Rugs Exhibit Kings Art Center Hanford CA * Charley's Navajo Rugs for Sale

Click for Hanford Sentinel Article with Photos. . .

Past Exhibits with Navajo Rugs

October 9 – November 27, 2010
Marcellus Gallery – The Navajo Rug

Kings Art Center
605 N. Douty St.
Hanford, CA

Sponsored by Griswold, La Salle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin LLP

Click Here for October 8th, 2010 Premiere Coverage…

The Navajo Rug

From the Collection of
Charley & Valerie Castles

Navajo Rug Exhibit Image 012 Navajo Rug Exhibit Image 043 Sponsored by Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin

Storm Pattern Navajo Rug Image

Storm Pattern No. 1

Circa: 2003

Size: 42″ x 72″

Weaver: Charlene Begay

Type: Storm Pattern

“Weavers today differ in their interpretation of the motifs and layout. Some deny knowledge of any symbols and say the stories came from traders.

Others suggest the center symbolizes a Navajo Hogan, a lake, or the center of the universe; the corner elements are spoken of variably as the four sacred mountains, the four winds, or the four cardinal directions. The radiating zigzag lines are usually called lightning lines or whirling logs. The individual motifs at both ends are called water bugs or pinion beetles,”

– Ann Hedlund, University of Arizona

Click to Buy this Storm Pattern Navajo Rug Weaving

Ganado Double Diamond Navajo Rug Detail 1

Chinle Ganado Double Diamond No. 3

Circa: 1930

Size: 54″ x 80″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Chinle – Ganado

This Navajo weaving was woven in the sunrise area, southwest of Ganado.

The design has a large double diamond formed of red, white, gray, and black squares in the middle.

The background is finely woven gray Mohair.

All of this is framed by a bold, red, black, and white, serrated reciprocating border. The white feathered centers and white points on the black squares give a whispering effect.

SOLD

Yeibichai Navajo Rug Image

Yeibichai No. 31

Circa: 1920

Size: 42″ x 60″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Yeibachai from the Lukachukai Area of the Navajo Reservation

Seven Yebichai Navajo Dancers depict Yei (gods). Five male dancers have round heads and two female dancers have square heads. The Yebichai with two strings of cones hanging from his arms is Water Sprinkler, the god of Precipitated Waters. Thirteen birds are messengers of the Yei. Feathers are symbols of prayers, a mark of honor, or sources of ideas.

The Lukachukai area is west and south of the Lukachukai Mountains from Shiprock, New Mexico. The Yei and Yebichai weavings of this area are usually larger, less colorful, made with handspun wool, and the backgrounds are much darker than the Shiprock Yei and Yebichai rugs.

Click to Buy this Yeibichai Navajo Rug Weaving

Navajo Rug Image

Yei No. 37

Circa: 1960

Size: 26″ x 35″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Yei with Corn Plants – Shiprock Redrocks Area

Three female Yei with two sacred corn plants; each with a Yei. The string of cones hanging from their arms represents rain.

The Yei Navajo rugs began in the Northwest corner of the reservation, in the early part of the 20th Century and were developed by Will Evans, a trader and owner of the Shiprock Trading Company.

Yei are religious deities taken from the Navajo sand painting; the weavings have no religious significance.

In these weavings the male Yei have round heads and the female Yei have square heads. Usually these weavings have a stylized rainbow down the sides and across the bottom and no border; this one does not have a rainbow.

Making extensive use of commercial wool, most of these weavings are used as wall hangings; 3 to 5 feet is considered large.

Charley’s Private Collection

Navajo Rug Image

Gallup Throw No. 41

Circa: 1930

Size: 17″ x 34″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Gallup Throw

These throws, originally woven in the area around Gallop, New Mexico, were made and sold to tourists traveling to the West by train.

Gallup throws are now made in all parts of the Reservation.

The top has a traditional selvage cord; the bottom warp is tied off in the Gallup throw style.

A cotton twine warp is left loose at the end and tied to make a hinge.

All of the seven designs in the white field have a star in the center. The sides are borderless and the top border has blue, gold, gray, and white bands.

Gallup throw style Navajo weavings are smaller than rugs,

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Yeibichai No. 52

Circa: 1960

Size: 34″ x 47

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Yeibachai

This Navajo weaving is tightly woven.

Talking god leads the procession and is followed by six male dancers with Water Sprinkler at the rear of the group.

The Yebichai are wearing blue cast masks and fox pelts off the back of their Concho belts.

Talking god can speak to man and teach him how to live in harmony with all living things by following simple rules to conserve and use only what he needs to survive.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal No. 85

Circa: 1930

Size: 25″ x 44″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Crystal Trading Post or Ganado

At each end of the salt and pepper gray field are very unusual red and black six-piece pie medallions.

The center is filled with nicely spaced rows of outlined white and red stacked triangles. The border is an early style interlocking key type border.

The Crystal Trading Post was originally established in 1894, in a remote part of the Navajo Reservation southwest of Two Grey Hills, and northwest of Gallup, New Mexico.

J. B.. Moore purchased an interest in the company in 1986, and, realizing the rugs being woven needed an upgrade, he started paying more for the rugs with better craftsmanship and design. This caused the weavers in the area to produce a better quality rug.

He then established a mail order catalog to sell rugs to the eastern market.

During his stay at Crystal he greatly influenced the style of Navajo rugs produced. The rugs now had a more Oriental motif with multiple borders, large central medallions, and numerous hooks.

Click to Buy this Crystal Navajo Rug Weaving

Navajo Rug Image

Ganado Large Diamond No. 86

Circa: 1920

Size: 42″ x 67″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Ganado or Chinle

The Center medallion is a very large set of six serrated concentric diamonds surrounded by a larger stepped white diamond.

Each of the corner quadrants are filled with stacked small diamonds or Chinle stars.

The motif generally consists of one or more stepped diamonds or stepped and embellished triangles.

The colors are usually dominated by a red background with gray, ivory, black, and red designs, and surrounded by a geometric border.

Located southwest of Crystal in the geographical center ofthe Navajo Reservation, the Ganado style of weaving was established by Lorenzo Hubbell in 1800.

SOLD

Historic Crystal Navajo Rug For Sale

Crystal No. A02

Circa: 1930

Size: 34″ x 53″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Crystal Trading Post

This historic Navajo rug features three spider woman crosses down the center within a steeped diamond that is bordered by lighting bolts on a gray field.

There are additional borders of red and black ribbons, then a light brown border with a stepped diamond in the center.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Teec Nos Pos No. A03

Circa: 2001

Size: 36″ x 63″

Weaver:

Type: Teec Nos Pos Storm Pattern The Navajo Churro Collection

This Navajo rug, combining black, red, white, gray, green and orange yarns, took seven months to weave.

Click to Buy this Teec Nos Pos Navajo Rug Weaving

Navajo Rug Image

Chief’s Blanket No. A13

Circa: 1920 – 1930

Size: 53″ x 71″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Churro Cross Navajo Chiefs’ Blanket Revival

The name Chief’s Blanket came about due to the fact that these blankets were prized by wealthy members of the Indians of the American Plains.

During the late 1700s and early 1800s, the Navajo Chiefs’ blankets started to evolve as they began to weave them wider than long.

This Navajo blanket is a typical banded Chiefs’ blanket with whirling logs designs.

Also noteworthy is the weaver’s intentional offsetting of design stripes that could have been considered a mistake but was quite intentionaL

Noted archeologist and Navajo weaving authority Joe Ben Wheat once wrote, “The Chiefs blanket is one of the finest achievements in Navajo weaving.”

SOLD

Navajo Woman's Dress

Navajo Woman’s Dress No. A22

Circa: 2004

Size:22″ x 40″

Weaver: Kathy Muzzle

Type: Navajo Woman’s Dress

This Navajo woman’s dress is comprised of two small rugs attached at the side and top to make a slip on dress.

The motif is Chinle Stars.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Table Runner Germantown No. A50

Circa: 1900

Size: 17″ x 34″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Germantown Table Runner

This Navajo weaving features four striped diamonds with a large ivory X in the center.

The fringe is attached to the weaving; it is not part of the body of the weaving.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Storm Pattern Crystal No. A63

Circa: 1920

Size: 56″ x 79″

Weaver:

Type: Storm Pattern Crystal Trading Post or Two Grey Hills

The excellent weave and natural colors of this Navajo textile indicates the origin of this weaving as Two Grey Hills.

The design of this uncommon old example uses the Greek key border that is also seen at the near-by Crystal Trading Post.

Many of the catalog designs from the Crystal Trading Post were borrowed by the Two Grey Hills and other trading posts.

Central to the storm pattern is a Maltese Cross in the middle of the very unusual rectangular center.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Coyote Mask No. A68

Circa: 2001

Size: 51″ x 65″

Weaver: Eleanor Yazzie

Type: Yeibachai Coyote Mask

In viewing this Navajo weaving your eyes are drawn to the center of the rug to the stylized Yeibichai mask on a gray field.

The wide borders of light blue, yellow, white and black denote direction. The tri-colored bars of red, white, and dark blue represent rainbows.

Of all the figures in Navajo life and mythology, Coyote (Maii) is the most contradictory and delightful animaL Coyote is considered a god, a trickster, and an evil spirit; he cannot be killed because he is powerful and contradictory.

The Navajos have an omen that if a Coyote crosses your path something terrible will happen to you unless you turn back and do not continue your journey.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Chinle No. A71

Circa: 1940

Size: 50″ x 72″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Chinle

The design of this Navajo rug is Chinle.

There is a large concentric stepped diamond medallion with wing tips at each step. The side borders are black and white reciprocal interlocking three petal tulip or flower motif.

This Navajo weaving was previously owned by the former Governor of New Mexico, Tom Bolack, who owned the famous BSquare Ranch in the Four Corners area.

SOLD

Historic Navajo Saddle Blanket

Navajo Saddle Blanket No. A74

Circa: 1910

Size: 31″ x 56″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Navajo Saddle Blanket

This Navajo saddle blanket has an open field end and has three black and white Valero stars on a small square camel tan field. The remainder of that half of the blanket is an open grey field.

The other half of the blanket is a diagonal twill weave.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

JB Moore Crystal Storm No. A75

Circa: 1909 – 1920

Size: 45″ x 65″

Weaver: Dug-gau-eth-Ion bi Dazhie or a member of her weaving family

Type: JB Moore Crystal Storm Pattern

This Navajo rug is a very close copy of one in the JB Moore 1911 catalog.

The square in the center of the rug could symbolize a Navajo Hogan, a lake, or the center of the universe; the squares in the corner are sometimes referred to as the Four Sacred Mountains on the Navajo Reservation, the Four Winds, or the Four Cardinal Directions.

The radiating zigzag lines from the center are referred to as lightning bolts. The motifs at the top and bottom in the center are water bugs or pinion beetles.

Above and bellow the water bugs are whirling logs or cross spruce logs which give the impression of circular motion by the bent ends. (Whirling spruce logs crossing each other is a sacred symbol used in Navajo religious ceremonies, sandpaintings, and incorporated into weaving at around 1880’s.)

Due to the whirling logs being similar to the Nazi Swastika, Navajo weavers have not been using this symbol since the late 1930s.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Double Saddle Blanket No. A76

Circa: 1940

Size: 34″ x 54″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Navajo Double Saddle Blanket with Dupont Dyes

Navajo weavers have been producing numerous examples of saddle blankets from around 1880 to the present.

These types of Navajo blankets have also been used as rugs.

Single saddle blankets are usually about 30 inches square.

Double saddle blankets are meant to be folded in half and are 30 x 60 in.

The Du Pont dyes were used from 1932 to the 1940s.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal No. A77

Circa: 1920

Size: 52″ x 70″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Crystal Trading Post

The design of this rug focuses on two unusual concentric double diamonds each with a Spiderwoman cross at their center.

These crosses have two small concentric double diamonds forming the middle of the cross. These are on the very dark brown inner field of the medallion.

At each side there is a large stepped concentric diamond formed by small checkerboard squares. Each little square has a different colored center.

Along each side are two water bugs, small diamonds and many finely formed feathers.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Transitional No. B16

Circa: 1890-1915

Size: 67″ x 96″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Transitional Floating Navajo Blanket Design

1890 – 1910 is known as the Transitional Period in Navajo weaving as the weavers were going from making Navajo blankets to making Navajo rugs.

The motif of this Navajo weaving is a floating blanket design. It has big double concentric stepped diamonds on a variegated medium light grey brown field.

Centered in the diamonds is a double row of back-to-back Greek key patterns in orange and brown. The Navajo weaving is framed by a dark brown and red ribbon border finished offwith a dark brown and white candy cane style spiral selvage cord.

Look closely for repaired moth damage in one of the brown diamonds.

SOLD

Transitional Crystal Navajo Rug Photo 1

Transitional No. B22

Circa: 1900 – 1915

Size: 48″ x 79″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Transitional Crystal Trading Post

The design is of this Transitional Crystal Navajo rug is a bold central cross.

At the ends of the vertical arms of the cross are large attached saw-tooth stepped dark brown diamonds outlined in ivory white.

At the ends of the lateral arms of the cross are smaller stepped diamonds.. This layout is on the crisp clean medium brown field.

Around the field is an inner border of small stepped diamonds.

The inner design is then framed by a white stepped ribbon border, followed by a brown stepped border.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal No. B23

Circa: 1900 – 1915

Size: 60″ x 96″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Crystal Trading Post J.B. Moore

The arrow as central motif. At first glance, one’s eyes focus on the four large arrows that point toward the central motif; this element is very unusual in Navajo design.

The weaver used an assortment of interconnected triangles and arrow points on a double ended spear or fork. The broad, bold border is filled with 34 red and black arrow tips all pointing toward the middle of the weaving.

The mirrored figures in the center have something to do with the Navajo twin heroes.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Two Grey Hills No. B24

Circa: 2006

Size: 24″ x 36″

Weaver: Gwen Yazzie

Type: Two Grey Hills

The Two Grey Hills regional style was started in 1914 by George Bloomfield and Ed David, at the Toadlena and Two Grey Hills Trading Posts.

These Navajo rug weavings are characterized by natural brown, tan, gray, ivory, white and black.

It is not unusual for the blacks to be over-dyed. Very rarely small amounts of red, orange, or blue are used. The designs usually have a central diamond motif and intricate pattern.

The Two Grey Hills One or Both, Your Choice
are noted for their high quality.

Click to Buy this Two Grey Hills Navajo Rug Weaving

Crystal Navajo Rug

Crystal No. B30

Circa: 1920

Size: 31″ x 63″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Crystal Trading Post

This Navajo textile features three large stepped diamonds in a field of white.

Within each diamond is a smaller diamond with black and white half diamonds meeting at the points. Eight Chinle Stars guard the top and bottom of each of the large diamonds.

There are four borders in this weaving, the outermost one is a black ribbon followed by a white ribbon, then a tan four inch border with a black Greek key pattern.

Click to Buy this Crystal Trading Post Navajo Rug Weaving

Navajo Rug Image

JB Moore Crystal Plate III No. B39

Circa: 1900

Size: 41″ x 66″

Weaver:

Type: J.B. Moore Crystal Trading Post

This design is a variation of one from the 1903 J. B. Moore Catalog.

The use of purple in the center of the diamonds dates the rug to 1900, because the color was not used after that date due to fading problems.

The weaving has three central diamonds running the length of the rug. Each large black diamond has five other diamonds inside it. Four feathered ends of arrows face the red, white, and black borders. Small diamonds and half diamonds guard the top and bottom of the weaving.

Click to Buy this J.B. Moore Navajo Rug Weaving

Navajo Rug Image

Child’s Blanket No. B40

Circa: 2007

Size: 31″ x 51″

Weaver: Lucie Marianito

Type: Child’s Navajo Blanket

This child’s blanket has a band of five small diamonds in the center, with bands of half diamonds above and below it, then a fine line white and red band with a ticker red zigzag band over it.

Click to Buy this Child’s Blanket Navajo Rug Weaving

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal No. B46

Circa: 1920

Size: 50″ x 72″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Crystal with a Few Bisti Characteristics

The design of this weaving features two large lattice work concentric double diamonds with small red and white diamond centers.

The border of this Navajo piece is what really sets it apart from other weavings. The border is five layers deep and within the inner most layer is a dark brown to black ribbon; next is the signature Bisti checkered red and gray border.

The outer border is a tri-colored copper brown, white, and black meandering Greek key pattern.

SOLD

Chief White Antelope Revival Navajo Blanket For Sale

Chief White Antelope Navajo Blanket No. B52

Circa: 1990

Size: 63″ x 85″

Yarn: Single ply commercially spun

Weaver: Helen M” Johnson

Type: Chief White Antelope Navajo Blanket

This Chief’s Navajo blanket is a revival of the Chief White Antelope Navajo blanket that was originally produced in the 1850s.

This revival is very close to the original with motifs of terraced meanders, chevrons, zigzag lighting bars, spider women crosses, and concentric stepped triangles and birds.

The original White Antelope Blanket was worn by Cheyenne Chief White Antelope, when he was shot down by the U.S. soldiers at Sand Creek, Colorado in 1864, when 500 men, women, and children were also massacred.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

JB Moore Crystal Plate XXX No. B61

Circa: 1920

Size: 54″ x 81″

Weaver:

Type: Crystal J.B. Moore Catalog 1911

This Navajo rug weaving design is a variation of the most decorative of the J.B. Moore Catalog plates.

It has been suggested that the two bold motifs at the end of the field are airplane motifs; they are more likely to have been inspired by an antique Caucasian pile woven carpet. The weaving is surrounded by two great borders.

The outer is a concentric cross motif and the inner is somewhat like back to back turkey track motifs. All of the field’s motifs are nearly identical to plate XXX of the J. B. Moore 1911 catalog.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal Prayer Sticks No. B65

Circa: 1920

Size: 38″ x 76″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: JB Moore Crystal Trading Post

A brown ribbon border encircles this weaving followed by a border of an ivory field with a red and brown zigzag line. In the center field of gray an hour glass figure is on the top and bottom separated by prayer sticks to the central Maltese Cross; feathers reach-out of the last border toward the center of the weaving.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal No. B73

Circa: 1920

Size: 26″ x 44″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: J.B. Moore Crystal Trading Post

This weaving has a large concentric diamond as the central motif. The ends of the large diamond flair into concentric half diamonds. Stacked, two color triangles are in each corner. Finally, the rug is framed with a bold coal black band all the way around the perimeter.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Bisti No. B83

Circa: 1930

Size: 57″ x 89″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Bisti

The three borders on this weaving are black ribbon, white and tan checkerboard, and a thin black ribbon. The description of the elements in the central part of the rug is up to the viewer. The quality and design of this rug indicates it may have been woven by Julia Joe or a member of her highly regarded family.

Charley’s Private Collection

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal No. B91

Circa: 1900 – 1910

Size: 47″ x 67″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: JB Moore Crystal Trading Post 1903

The red symmetrical figure in a white field represents the Hero Twins Monster Slayer and Child-of the Water, bordered by a natural black field with a continuous red zigzag. Water bugs are at the top and bottom; the outside’s natural black border encloses a string of prayer sticks.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Bisti No. B94

Circa: 1930

Size: 64″ x 104″

Weaver:

Type: Bisti

Bisti means badlands in Navajo. The region is located just off NM Route 371 about an hour south of Farmington and 90 miles North of 140.

The old Bisti Trading Post has been closed for some time. The Bisti Navajo rugs are the rarest of Regional Navajo Rugs. Characteristics of the Bisti weavings are numerous borders surrounding a center field, sometimes up to nine borders. A thin checkered border is common in these rugs. Circles, Prayer Feathers, and intricate geometric designs make up the field. There is a definite Oriental influence in these rugs.

Charley’s Private Collection

Sand Painting Pictorial Navajo Rug

Sandpainting Pictorial No. C00

Circa: 1940

Size: 44″ x 67″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Navajo Sand Painting Pictorial Weaving

This Navajo weaving depicts Blue Thunder from the south and Black Thunder from the north, lighting bolts and rain pour down from their wings. They are guarded by a Rainbow Guardian from the sides and bottom. Prayer sticks are at the end of the Rainbow Guardian.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

2nd & 3rd Phase Navajo Chief’s Blanket No. C02

Circa: 2009

Size: 54″ x 72″

Weaver: Laberta Marianito

Type: Navajo Chief’s Blanket Navajo Churro Collection

The first phase of the Chief’s blanket pattern was from 1700 to 1850, and consisted of horizontal stripes of black and brown or blue and ivory with wider stripes in the center.

The Second phase came around 1850 when rectangular motifs were added within the bands.

The Third phase around 1860 added diamonds or half diamonds of red or bright colors in the center, top, and bottom of the blanket.

This blanket has features from all three phases of the Chief’s Blanket style. The bands of brown and ivory come from Phase One, the center red rectangles from Phase Two, and the top and bottom half diamonds are from Phase Three.

NOT FOR SALE

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal No. C03

Circa: 1920

Size: 42″ x 64″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Crystal with a Few Bisti Characteristics

The motif is two large diamond medallions, each having spiral latchhooks protruding both inward and outward frnm the frame of the diamonds.

All along each side are typical Bisti triangular shaped motifs with geometric centers; a black and white border frames the weaving. On each end, additional stripes from a five color compound end stripe.

Click to Buy this Crystal Navajo Rug Weaving

Navajo Rug Image

Yei No. C11

Circa: 1930

Size: 30″ x 60″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Yei from the Lukachukai area

Six female Yei on a grayish brown field, with a brown-black ribbon border.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Gemini Sign No. C14

Circa: 2008

Size: 26″ x 36″

Weaver: Frances Begay

Type: Gemini Symbol Navajo Weaving for the Navajo Churro Collection

Gemini symbol was custom made for the Navajo Churro Collection. The tan Gemini symbol is outlined in green on a white field. The three borders are dark brown, rose red, and tan.

Click to Buy this Unusual Gemini Sign Navajo Rug Weaving

Navajo Rug Image

Bisti No. C20

Circa: 1920

Size: 36″ x 64″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Bisti Fancy Double Saddle Blanket

This Navajo weaving has five borders from the outside in; black then red ribbon borders, a thin red ribbon, a larger gray and tan field with 18 peyote buds, and then a thin black ribbon. The central white field has two large Valero Stars with hooks at the ends, and six flowers along the sides.

Charley’s Private Collection

Navajo Rug Image

Crystal No. C24

Circa: 1900 – 1910

Size: 50″ x 72″

Weaver: Unknown

Type: Crystal JB Moore Crystal Trading Post

This is an excellent example of an early rug from the JB Moore Catalog.

This Navajo rug was woven from two of Moore’s plates in his 1903 and 1911 catalogs. A meandering tri-color zigzag border encircles the weaving; diamonds with boxed ends, float on a gray field. In the center are two large double serrated concentric diamonds from the 1903 catalog.

SOLD

Navajo Rug Image

Dress Panel, a Pair, Nos. C27A & B

Circa: 1910

Size: 25″ x 37″

Weaver:

Type: Navajo Textile

A pair of Navajo weavings originally intended to be worn as a dress.

SOLD