Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2013-0003-0023   CAS 2013-0003-0023; Rug
Category Textiles
Object Name Rug
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. New Mexico
County San Juan
Other Geographic Data Navajo Indian Reservation; Community: Crystal
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1980s
Collection Name Donaldson
Materials Warp: Single ply handspun natural wool; Weft: Single ply handspun natural, carded, and dyed wool; Vegetal dyes (yellow and 3 shades of gold); Aniline dye (green)
Description Rectangular Crystal or Wide Ruins style rug woven entirely in plain tapestry weave with non-interlocking joins; Borderless, banded design consists of five horizontal design bands, each showing a row of contiguous serrated, concentric diamonds in colors of gold, light and dark gray, and white on a gold background; Center design band is twice as wide and more elaborate than the others; Alternating with the design bands are 6 secondary composite bands, each of which includes a central band woven in the wavy Crystal-style weave in gold and dark gray on a light gray background, edged in dark green and pale yellow and then flanked on either side by another band woven in the Crystal style weave in gold and light gray; Selvage cords are gold (same color as background of design bands); End cords are a slightly darker shade of gold.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 88.4, Length = 144.5