Navajo Rugs – What Were Small Navajo Rugs Used For?
If you’re interested in Navajo rugs, you may be wondering what they were used for. This article will tell you more about these unique pieces, and how they were traded. You’ll also learn about Navajo rug patterns. Here are three of the most common uses for small Navajo rugs. Let’s take a closer look. And don’t worry; this article will cover each one in detail.
Navajo rugs
Originally, Navajos made their rugs for household use and as a gift to visitors. Many of them were shaped to represent animals and were used for a variety of purposes. Today, they are prized for their beauty and durability. However, some Navajo rugs are made for purely decorative purposes. Whether it’s for a bedroom, kitchen, or living room, these rugs are sure to impress.
While the design of Navajo rugs is consistent across the region, each piece is a unique creation. While some regional characteristics are common in many rugs, each one is unique, with the weaver’s own interpretation. In addition, each rug is an individual piece of art. In the Navajo culture, weaving is a spiritual and energetic process. While each Navajo rug may have the same basic design as another, the unique interpretation of the weaver will make it a masterpiece.
Navajo rug patterns
The most popular of all Navajo rug patterns is the Storm pattern. Its origin is unclear, but the story goes that a trader on the western side of the reservation developed the concept and incorporated it into their weavings. Regardless of where the Storm pattern originated, it is now one of the most recognizable patterns in Navajo rugs. The Two Grey Hills trading post was also known for its weavings without the use of dyes and developed intricate geometric patterns based on large hooked central diamonds and multiple geometric borders.
These pictorial rugs depict the Holy People, often a woman with a rattle in her hand. These rugs also feature the common elements of life, such as cornstalks and juniper trees. Although not sacred, many of these designs are symbolic but have no real meaning. Small Navajo rugs often depict animals, plants, and even a landscape. They usually have an element of nature, such as a hummingbird or a tree.
Navajo rug trade
For several years, the Navajo rug trade was dominated by a handful of reputable retailers, C.N. Cotton of Gallup, New Mexico, and traders Lorenzo Hubble of Ganado, Arizona, and J.B. Moore of Crystal, New Mexico. These traders quickly gained a national following for Navajo weaving. These traders were often the Navajos’ only contact with the outside world and their main customers. Traders offered higher prices than they were able to get from traditional Navajo weavers.
The whirling log symbol was first used in sand paintings. After World War II, this symbol was banned due to its association with the Nazis. However, the whirling log has retained its positive meaning. Despite this, the Navajo rug trade remains largely unchanged. During economic slumps, starving artists are hardest hit. The documentary ‘Navajo Rug Trade tells the story of the changes in the Navajo textile trade from the mid-nineteenth century to the present.
