Shane Begay, Rug, Three In One, Navajo, 27" x 35"

Traders like JB Moore first introduced Navajo art to collectors back east, but rugs (not silver) first captured the imaginations of collectors and decorators. Following Moore's lead, other traders began to market Navajo weaving, even influencing many of the well-known styles. Today styles are not defined by regions but perfected by dedicated weavers from all parts of the Navajo Nation. We have put together a large collection of rugs on our online Trading Post and hope you take time to look through them all. Hopefully, you will find the perfect rug. Rug weaving is very similar to jewelry making. That means if your parents or grandparents worked in the arts there was a good chance you would do the same.

Tree of Life

The Navajo Tree of Life is a colorful rug style usually depicting a central corn plant emerging from a Navajo Wedding basket, with birds, feathers and rainbow bars enhancing the design. For the Navajo, corn is sacred, corn is life. “Walking under the corn leaf is the Beauty Way,” a Navajo elder said. Thus, everything good, life-affirming, and positive is embodied in a Tree of Life rug.

Raised Weaving

Navajo weaver Marie Yazzie made this gorgeous New Lands rug. This is a newer style from the New Lands area near Sanders, AZ. It draws from a few different styles, but the raised weave is definitely unique. Like many other patterns this one has evolved over the years and comes in many different colors and patterns. Trader Bruce Burnham is credited with developing it.