Lot 104019: 8x5ft Circa 1880 Navajo Transitional Eye Dazzler Blanket Rug Native American Weaving

Item Description
This remarkable circa 1890-1910 Navajo Eyedazzler pound rug is a perfect example of the surge of creativity and innovation that occurred during this era. When the newly established railroad line came through the southern edge of the Navajo reservation, weavers had access to new supplies such as aniline dyes and yarns. They embraced these new colors and often blended them into a single rug, producing bold and unique designs that were coined as ‘eye dazzlers’ by traders of the day. Although initially controversial, this period has come to be seen as a defining moment in Navajo weaving culture, as it liberated weavers from the laborious processes of shearing, carding, spinning, and drying wool that had been necessary in the past. The wool fiber used in this rug looks to be handspun from the Navajo nation, and the heavy and bulky nature of the rug is characteristic of this era, as traders had established a new method of payment to the weavers by the pound.The size and intricate detail of this rug make it an incredibly rare piece, no doubt a very expensive one at the time. It is a true treasure from a beloved era of history, a merging of cultures that played an important role in the shaping of the Southwest.

Dimensions (HxWxD)
96x64in

Weight

Flat Shipping Rate
(Within Continental U.S.)
$60.00

Local Delivery Charge (Phoenix, AZ Metropolitan Area)
(Maricopa County Only)
$60.00

We Ship World Wide (some restrictions apply). Please check the legality of the item within your country/state before bidding. If there are restrictions we will not ship. All shipping costs will be invoiced separately after payment of the auction item/s are made. We will combine/discount shipping where applicable.

Local Pickup
We allow local pick up of your item by appointment only. Please contact us after your payment is made to schedule a pickup time/date.

Pick-Up Dates/Time:
By Appointment Wednesday 11/29, Thursday 11/30, or Friday 12/1 10am to 4pm

Pick-Up Location:
The Town of Cave Creek, Spur Cross & Cave Creek Rd (exact address will be given after purchase is complete)

Item number:
104019

Ref:
AAN1053
PD1

96x64in

The rug exhibits signs of age and color fading, as is expected. However, there are also color variations, which are likely a characteristic of the era in which it was made. It appears that weavers of the time were still experimenting with the combination of aniline dyes and the wool sourced from the Navajo nation, leading to these unique color variations.