Several rugs need help identifying

[KateJ]

Need help identifying rugs
Found all but one of these in my MILs cedar chest and would love some help identifying and /or finding reputable places to appraise/sell. The largest was one my mom passed down but treated like a blanket
Twirling logs 20"x31"
X motif 28"x55"
Pattern 34"x59"
Greyish 47"x75"

[Ziacat]

There is a Facebook site for Native American rugs (I can’t remember the name of it off the top of my head). You might want to check there; we aren’t really experts on rugs here, so we aren’t going to really be able to give you any appraisals (we don’t do appraisals on here anyway). They also buy and sell on that site.

I believe that the long one on the left with fringe all across the bottom is Mexican. The others may very well be Navajo, but I can’t see the sides of them clearly. You also could check with reputable stores in the southwest that sell rugs like Garland’s in Sedona. BTW the term is whirling logs, not twirling. That rug looks like it has some damage, which would definitely bring down the price. You might need to get them fixed and cleaned (the Facebook site often mentions places you can get rugs fixed), although I think that is fairly pricey so I don’t know if it would be worth it $ wise. Definitely do not have anyone clean/fix them that doesn’t work specifically with Navajo rugs.

[KateJ]

@Zicat
1st apologies for the typo, I initially did the post on my phone and autocorrect is a thorn in both my sides.

Second thanks for the leads, advice it’s a better direction than where I was. We’ll have to check out Garland’s and see if they can be any assistance.

My in laws lived in New Mexico but we’re in Texas so I suspect they are indeed Navajo if I find out about the provenance about the larger one with fringe I will have to pass that along to my mom.

Appreciate your response.

[Ziacat]

I wish I could remember the name of that Facebook site for you. I’m not on Facebook, but my hubby is, and I sometimes check it out on his phone. If I remember it I’ll add it to this thread (he’s not home right now).

I believe the x shaped one is referred to as an “eye dazzler” design. I would bet money that the one with the fringe is not Navajo. That is not at all typical for Navajo rugs (there a few with “fringe” but they look very different than this).

I know exactly what you mean by autocorrect. Feel like I have to reread everything

[Islandmomma]

Redirecting... This is one of the rug groups on FB

[Patina]

@islandmomma Thank you for sharing this information.

[Islandmomma]

Not a problem. There’s some private groups on Facebook that have excellent people in them. Having the actual artist joined during Covid was a giant plus and a good many of the members have had decades of experience as sellers’s business owners, etc. and then there’s the rest of us who are trying to learn. Lol.
Oh, the other one that I just thought of was medicine man Gallery. He was talking about rugs the other day on Instagram.

[Ziacat]

I can’t read that since I’m not on Facebook, it just says “redirecting.” So maybe I’m mentioning the same one, but the name of the one I have looked at is, “Navajo Rugs, Blankets, Baskets, Pottery And Native American artifacts.” Sorry if that’s same - if it is, let me know and I can delete. There are some really knowledgeable Trading Post owners and rug experts that post on this site, and many Native artists who post their beautiful rugs. Although there is still inaccurate information given by people who don’t know, just like in everything I’m sure. There were a few people saying Navajo rugs absolutely could not have any braiding in the corner ties, like this…

Which is not true, because I bought this rug with a braid in the tie in Gallup at a good store, and have the photo of the woman that made it holding it. So like @Islandmomma said, there’s a wide variety of knowledge, but if you take time to read and figure out who are the experts you can learn a lot. And you might be able to post your rugs and get an answer.

[KateJ]

@Islandmomma - thank you for the fb link - there is so much out there and I just don’t want to fall down the wrong rabbit hole.

@Ziacat thanks for naming that one rug - it gives me something to look up and learn more about.

[Islandmomma]

Let’s try this link too. I just opened Instagram and the first thing was Reggie Mitchell talking about his aunt and her rug weaving. I have not even listened to it all but here’s the link. Reggie Mitchell on Instagram: "A lesson passed down from my aunt Rosie, my dad's sister, from Dennehotso, AZ. May you have gained a deeper understanding of The Navajo Rug's spiritual significance. Sending you many blessings! 💯❤️🙏🏽☺️ #reggiemitchell #reggiemitchelljewelry #darkhorse #darkhorsejewelry #darkhorsenavajojewelry #silver #silversmith #silverjewelry #turquoise #turquoisejewelry #navajo #navajojewelry #navajomade #swaia #swaiaindianmarket #heardmuseum #aurtymuseum #sandcastjewelry #tufacastjewelry #love #honor #respect #blessed #nativetreasures #cowboysandindiansmagazine #cowboysandindians #fiercewarchief #navajorug #riograndeartsandcraftsfestival"

[Ziacat]

Thanks for sharing that. Very interesting. However I have heard other Navajos speak differently about the spirit line, and about whether rugs should be on the floor. We have quite a few rugs and none of them are on the floor, but I have heard other Navajos who say that is perfectly fine to do; that they were intended to be used. So I don’t think every Navajo feels exactly the way he does.

[fernwood]

I agree with Ziacat on the corner braids. A few years ago I posted a huge rug that was purchsed in Flagstaff, about 1986. It is Navajo made.
I have a smaller rug that was made by one of my Navajo co-workers in 1985, that also has the corner braided tassels.

[KateJ]

Managed to get onto that facebook group thanks again.
Not sure where to post this, but we found a 1998 issue of southwestern association for indian arts in stuff we inherited, if anyone is interested in this (us only) i’d be happy to put it in the mail.
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[nanc9354]

Speaking of rugs. Short lesson from Reggie Mitchell on the tradition and spiritual nature of Navajo Rugs. Reggie Mitchell on Instagram: "A lesson passed down from my aunt Rosie, my dad's sister, from Dennehotso, AZ. May you have gained a deeper understanding of The Navajo Rug's spiritual significance. Sending you many blessings! 💯❤️🙏🏽☺️ #reggiemitchell #reggiemitchelljewelry #darkhorse #darkhorsejewelry #darkhorsenavajojewelry #silver #silversmith #silverjewelry #turquoise #turquoisejewelry #navajo #navajojewelry #navajomade #swaia #swaiaindianmarket #heardmuseum #aurtymuseum #sandcastjewelry #tufacastjewelry #love #honor #respect #blessed #nativetreasures #cowboysandindiansmagazine #cowboysandindians #fiercewarchief #navajorug #riograndeartsandcraftsfestival"

[Ziacat]

Yep, this is what Islandmomma posted up above, and I commented on. Very interesting!

[nanc9354]

Ahahahaha. I didn’t see that. @Islandmomma checking out Reggie’s site too!