How to Spot Diagonal Weave of Navajo Rugs
If you’re wondering how to tell a Navajo rug’s diagonal weave, read on. This article will walk you through the process of recognizing the weave’s signature style. Among other things, you’ll need to look for the presence of Lazy lines, Section lines, End borders, two gray hills, and more. But first, let’s talk about the types of weave itself.
Lazy lines
Originally, Navajo weavers have woven textiles for the internal market only. However, a limited number of Anglo buyers have found Navajo textiles to be usable. Consequently, these textiles have not received as much attention as they deserve. Here is a look at some of the nuances of Navajo rugs. The first distinction to be made is their weaving process. In contrast to other types of weaving, Navajo rugs are woven using a vertical loom, which imparts great tension to foundation cords during weaving. Additionally, unlike other types of rugs made using horizontal looms, they have a distinct sheep smell.
Section lines
The zigzags and diagonals in a Navajo rug are woven by pulling the warp over the hard warp at regular intervals to create a soft texture. This wavy and playful weave is considered taboo by Navajo weavers, who do not sketch their designs in the sand. Instead, they allow the woven piece to evolve spontaneously as they work.
End borders
The storm pattern is a classic example of the Navajo rug, but its origin is not completely clear. Some storybooks suggest that the design originated with a trader on the western side of the reservation. Two Grey Hills weavers, for example, are known for their weavings with no dyes. Their weavings have complex geometric patterns, based on a large hooked central diamond and multiple geometric borders.
Two gray hills
If you’re in the market for a new rug, the first thing you should know is how to spot a Navajo rug’s diagonal weave. These rugs are typically made from vegetal dyed wool and feature elaborate patterns of the Two Gray Hills. Because these are sacred rugs, they need to be woven with special care and respect to avoid spiritual harm. Read on for some tips to help you spot these rugs.
Chinle style
Navajo Rugs are famous for their distinctive, colorful, and intricate designs. The unique style and tasseled ends distinguish these rugs from their Mexican counterparts. In fact, the term flexibility is used by Indian arts dealers to describe the weaving process and suggests a high degree of fineness. Navajo weavings use shines, which are synthetic aniline dyes invented by Hofmann and Nicholson in 1858. Another name for shines is magenta. The Navajo term “Teec Nos Pos” is used to refer to a region in northeast Arizona where trade cloths were produced.
