Learn About the Art > About Navajo Rugs > How to Determine Authenticity of a Navajo Rug
How to determine the authenticity of a Navajo Rug
As with most art, understanding the diagnostic elements of a particular item reveals the authenticity of the item. If one can identify these elements, then one can determine authenticity. This is true for all Native American art and artifacts.
Most Navajo rugs have 4 specific things to "look for":
1. Continuous Warp
2. Lazy Lines
3. Twisting selvage cords
4. Short Corner ties connecting the selvage and end cords.
Less obvious things to the novice, but which are taken into consideration by an expert or someone who has handled a lot of Navajo weavings, include :
5. Navajo sheep wool and known commercial wool yarns used by the Navajo
6. Weight of wool / quality of wool
7. Type of dyes used
8. Patterns / designs
Most Navajo rugs have 4 specific things to "look for":
1. Continuous Warp
2. Lazy Lines
3. Twisting selvage cords
4. Short Corner ties connecting the selvage and end cords.
Less obvious things to the novice, but which are taken into consideration by an expert or someone who has handled a lot of Navajo weavings, include :
5. Navajo sheep wool and known commercial wool yarns used by the Navajo
6. Weight of wool / quality of wool
7. Type of dyes used
8. Patterns / designs
Inexpensive, decorative rugs that are made in other countries or by non-Navajo weavers are nice, but should not be sold as authentic Navajo weavings.
'These decorative rugs may or may not incorporate Navajo designs/motifs. Do not judge authenticity by the presence of motifs/symbols alone. |
Copies often have heavy side and end cords, and a heavy corner tie. The wool is often "scratchy" to the touch and there are no "lazy lines".
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