Early 20th Century Native American Navajo Rug

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Woven around 1900, this exceptionally rare large-format Navajo rug is a striking example of Indigenous artistry on an ambitious scale. … Read more Woven around 1900, this exceptionally rare large-format Navajo rug is a striking example of Indigenous artistry on an ambitious scale. At its center lies a natural brown diamond medallion, from which radiates a dynamic series of crimson, white, and dark brown diamonds—each shape echoing outward in rhythmic precision. Hand-spun wool, natural dyes, and aniline dye give the rug its deep, earthy palette and luminous texture. What sets this piece apart is not only its bold, balanced design but its scale—large Navajo rugs from this period are exceedingly uncommon, as most were woven in smaller, more manageable sizes. Framing the central field is a striking dark brown and white Greek key border, likely infused with symbolic meaning—perhaps referencing sacred paths or natural forces like lightning, both recurring themes in Navajo visual language. Woven by a Diné (Navajo) weaver in the American Southwest, this rug is a rare and powerful example of tradition, symbolism, and scale. See less