Navajo Rug circa 1920 Klagetoh Hand Knotted Diamond Pattern Gray Orange Black

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This Antique Navajo rug, dating to circa 1920, is a fine example of the Klagetoh regional style, originating from the … Read more This Antique Navajo rug, dating to circa 1920, is a fine example of the Klagetoh regional style, originating from the area south of Ganado in Arizona. Hand-woven by Diné (Navajo) artisans using traditional techniques, it features a natural gray wool field as the background, which provides a subtle, earthy canvas for the bold geometric designs. The central motif consists of three large, elongated diamond medallions aligned in a row, each with serrated or hooked edges outlined in vibrant orange-red (likely an aniline-dyed wool for the red hues). Inside each diamond are intricate interlocking stepped patterns, resembling mazes or linked hooks, rendered in black, brown (possibly natural undyed wool), and cream-white. The top and bottom borders display repeating zigzag or stepped cloud-like motifs in cream-white, orange-red, and black, adding a dynamic frame to the composition, while the side edges are bordered with narrow dark brown or black strips. This runner-style rug is elongated and narrow, making it ideal for hallways, tables, or wall display, though exact dimensions are not specified in the image— size 4 feet 5 inches wide by 7 feet 4 inches long . The weaving is tight and even, indicative of skilled craftsmanship, with some signs of age-related wear such as minor fading and fringe tassels, but overall in good vintage condition. The color palette combines natural sheep wool tones with selective dyed accents, creating a balanced, visually striking piece that blends traditional Navajo symbolism with early 20th-century influences. Navajo rug weaving traces its origins to the mid-17th century, when the Diné people learned weaving techniques from neighboring Pueblo communities, initially focusing on wearable blankets known as "mantas." By the 19th century, following the Long Walk of 1864 and resettlement on reservations, Navajo textiles shifted from utilitarian items to trade goods, incorporating influences from Spanish, Mexican, and Anglo-American cultures. The period around 1920 falls within the Transitional or Trading Post Era (roughly 1890-1930), a time when Euro-American traders like Juan Lorenzo Hubbell at the Ganado Trading Post played a pivotal role in shaping designs to appeal to external markets. Hubbell encouraged weavers to produce rugs with bold, geometric patterns inspired by Oriental rugs, pottery motifs, and local symbolism, using commercial wool yarns and aniline dyes for brighter colors while preserving hand-spun elements. The Klagetoh style emerged as a variation of the nearby Ganado style, distinguished by its gray or tan background (instead of Ganado's signature red field) and central diamond motifs with serrated edges, often in red, black, white, and gray. Named after the Klagetoh, Arizona, area, these rugs typically feature elongated diamonds symbolizing harmony, protection, or natural elements like mountains and lightning, reflecting Diné cosmology. By the 1920s, Navajo rugs had gained popularity among collectors and tourists, marking a shift toward viewing them as art rather than just functional items. This era's pieces, like the one depicted, blend indigenous traditions with market-driven innovations, and today they are valued for their cultural significance and rarity. See less