- CONTEMPORARY RUGS
- >
- MODERN RUGS
- >
- 4241 Native American Valero Star rug 2'5" x 4'2"
4241 Native American Valero Star rug 2'5" x 4'2"
Antique Native American Valero Star Rug 4241, A fantastic early Classic NAVAJO Valero Star and Cross RUG. From the early 1900's, this is a very rare, authentic antique Navajo textile.Now about this awesome rug. The cream and the dark chocolate brown that you see, that is natural churro wool. This was the handiwork of a very experienced weaver, I can tell by the fine outlines around the Stare design. This is a really unique piece, because it contains both elements from J. B. Moore's influence (he ran the old Crystal Trading Post in Arizona) as well as from Don Lorenzo Hubbell. We also see the natural varigated sheep's wool in the center of the design, brown and cream, and that's Moore's influence, to kept the colors natural like the Navajo's ancestors did.This one contains red Cochineal wool, which makes it more valuable. The hand carded wool was often brought for hundreds of miles along old West trails by the Mexicans who would trade with the tribes for food and staples. Then the cowboys found out about these blankets, and their demand soared. This blanket is tightly woven and thick like a mat.Thus you see the red dyed wool section, mixed in with the natural sheep colors of cream and dark chocolate brown (the tribes had cream and dark brown sheep then). This has little wear or pile so it was most likely used only on special occasions, like for a tribal pow wow or rodeo, then tucked away in a hope chest, or hung on the wall for display. By now, this is an iconic piece of Old West history, a relic of Western horse culture. It could have also been used as a wearing blanket, as it is pliable, and relatively soft. It's just got that super old distressed look to it, which is prized by collectors, basically the older it is, the more valuable.
Rug Size: 2'5" x 4'2"
Colors: Light Brown, Black, Gray, Red and White
Condition: Good
Circa: 1930
Weaver: Unknown
Other Details: Tightly woven