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How to Tell the Age of a Navajo Rug

Navajo rugs, like other handmade forms of art, tend to increase in value as they age. Those made before 1880 are particularly rare with values well over $10,000. Very early examples can be worth significantly more. With no ironclad correlation between rarity, age and price, it's a good idea to have a qualified expert appraise the blanket before making a sizable purchase. There are, however, some steps you can take to estimate the age yourself.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the fibers. Prior to 1960 most Navajo rugs were made of 100 percent wool, single-ply (untwisted) yarn. The warp threads (strung vertically on the loom) and weft threads (woven hoizontallly through the warp threads) were also wool. Because they were spun by hand and dyed, the fibers were irregular with color variations.
- 2
  
  Check the warp yarns
  
  Look for cotton warp yarns. You will need to carefully pry two weft yarns apart to see the warp. During the Late Classic and Transitional Periods between 1865 and 1895, the U.S. government and traders on the reservation supplied Navajo weavers with cotton string for use as warps (navajorugsblankets.com.) After the turn of the century, most weavers reverted to hand-spun wool warp threads to reclaim their 100 percent native handmade status. Small, inexpensive tourist items continued to be made with the cotton warp until the 1950s.
- 3
  
  Consistent color and weave
  
  Examine the consistency of the yarn and color. After 1960 weavers began opting for commercially spun and dyed yarns to increase production. These rugs offered uniformity in color and texture and allowed for a much finer weave.
- 4
  Know your dealer. If you are purchasing from a dealer, ask for a guarantee of the rug's age and authenticity in writing. Ideally you should get a certificate of authenticity with a picture of the rug on it. Cultivate a few reputable dealers in your area and use them for appraisals when you are unsure of a rug's value.

Antiques