What Time Frame Navajo Rugs Are Sold?
What Time Frame Navajo Rugs Are Sold? This question is of vital importance to anyone buying a Navajo rug or saddle blanket. Luckily, the answer is actually quite simple: it depends on the seller. Generally, a Navajo rug is worth at least four times its original weight. However, a rug that weighs five times its original weight is a great investment.
Navajo rugs
If you’re wondering what time frame Navajo rugs sold, you’re not alone. This particular style started over 500 years ago but has only recently reached homes worldwide. Despite its recent appearance, Navajo rugs have been highly sought-after due to their unique designs and cultural significance. Regardless of the time frame in which you purchase a Navajo rug, it’s always a good idea to research the weaving history of this particular type of textile.
Typically, Navajo rugs were made from single-ply wool with geometric designs. The earliest Navajo weaving dates to the 18th century, when Navajo weavers began making rugs for tourists. These pieces became more valuable as a result of the high quality of their craftsmanship. Navajo rugs were also often made from saddle blankets made of wool.
The deterioration in the quality of Navajo rugs is due to two factors: changing economic conditions and the introduction of French Rambouillet sheep. Moreover, as a result of the Great Depression, Navajo traders began buying blankets by the pound, which lowered their prices. The resulting change in trading post ownership and the emergence of new breeds of sheep led to a sharp decline in the market for Navajo rugs.
Navajo saddle blankets
Originally crafted of 100% wool, Navajo saddle blankets were used to protect horses from the elements. The traditional design was double-folded to protect the wool fibers from the saddle. Early Navajo blankets had bands of color that run horizontally. The colors were natural shades of brown. The weight of a blanket also played a role. A saddle blanket’s weight depends on its size, so it’s important to choose a blanket that fits snugly.
Initially, the Navajo used vegetal colors for their saddle blankets, but by the seventeenth century, Germantown yarns were used to create the fancy, dazzler, and Sunday saddle blankets. While these commercial yarns were expensive, they provided a wide range of color choices. Even so, only the most accomplished weavers were able to afford them. Today, saddle blankets have become collectible pieces and can reach upwards of half a million dollars.
Historically, Navajo saddle blankets were a symbol of status and wealth. If the blanket was a symbol of status, it was often made to impress guests. A fancy saddle, embroidered with elaborate patterns, and embellished with tassels and fringe, would have elevated its rider’s status. In addition, saddle blankets often had pictorial elements, which made them special, ceremonial items.
