209

Navajo Old Crystal Trading Post Rug c. 1930's

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Navajo Old Crystal Trading Post Rug c. 1930's
Featured in this lot is this Navajo Old Crystal Trading Post rug circa 1930's. The rug features a wonderfully and professionally crafted wool construction that shows traditional Old crystal decoration adorning the face of the rug with geometric patterns created from these decorations and shows naturally dyed colors of red, black, light brown, grey and all set to a cream field. This piece is is displayed on a wooden rod used for wall hanging. Originally the Old Crystal trading post was established in 1894, in this remote part of the Navajo Reservation Southwest of Two Grey Hills and Northwest of Gallup. In 1896 J.B. Moore purchased an interest in the trading post and re-named it Crystal after a pure sparkling mountain spring that was in the area. Due to the remoteness of the Trading Post he started using a mail order catalog to sell his rugs to the Eastern market. The first catalog came out in 1903, with another in 1911. He left the reservation in 1911. During his stay at Crystal he greatly influenced the change in styles of Navajo rugs being produced at the Crystal Trading Post. The rugs had an Oriental motif with multiple borders, large central medallions and numerous hooks. The condition of this rug is good with some bleeding to the naturally dyed sections and shows age due to some fading to other sections but otherwise shows good overall condition. The measurements of this rug are 51" x 27 1/2".