posted on August 3, 2008 02:09:58 PM new
Can anyone point me in the right direction of a tribe, possibly what it may be of, etc? It measures 56L x 23W. I found it here in the Portland, Oregon area, and with it resembling a Totem Pole, I thought it was likely regional, however I find nothing with Totem Poles depicted on Rugs/Tapestries. It looks like a robot... but that would be an insult to the particular culture (though I have seen many tribal artifacts depicting alien/ufo/space style things on them).
posted on August 3, 2008 03:49:34 PM new
That rug is fabulous. It looks like a Navajo pictorial rug to me. It is handmade, so it could be any pattern they liked to do.
Search Navajo pictorial rugs or Navajo rugs.
It looks like a totem pole, but could be something else. I have never ever seen one like it. It may be worth some big bucks.
[ edited by davidsmom on Aug 3, 2008 03:57 PM ]
[ edited by davidsmom on Aug 3, 2008 03:59 PM ]
posted on August 3, 2008 04:19:33 PM new
It looked Navajo to me, particularly the style of the weave. But it also resembled a Totem Pole, which is Pacific NW tribes.
Purchased it from an Estate of a woman who collected Native American pieces. She had many Navajo rugs and several gorgeous masks from the Pacific NW, but this was the only thing I walked out with. Strangely, everything else was very expensive. I am wondering if this was a mistake.
The family said it was from the 60's and Navajo, but the resemblance to a totem pole was what made me question it, and her extensive collection could have made it from anywhere. Now that I've researched it, I am pretty sure it is Navajo. Thanks!
posted on August 3, 2008 09:32:14 PM new
I vote for the Pacific Northwest. The bird depicted reminds me of images I saw in the Puget Sound area.
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posted on August 4, 2008 06:07:42 AM new
It isn't Navajo. Mexican I'd bet, especially if somebody let it go for 7 bucks. It looks a lot like the rugs that are sold by the El Paso Trading company and all over Nogales, Juarez, Tijuana etc. How are the corners and ends finished? What does the side selvage look like? If you pull the weft back so you can see the warp strings, do they look like wool or kite string? These are some of the clues to Navajo origin.
posted on August 4, 2008 06:57:23 AM new
Profe- Thanks for the info... a little too late. LOL. I listed it last night and got the following really nasty email -
"your criminal wire fraud is reported to ebay and BIA. No fringe is even possible on anything native american woven. this junk you have is mexican woven on an european floor loom. and worthless. Federal crimes have been committed, that's why ebay warns you liars before punching the list button, but we're getting you now. www.indianweaving.com. - tnpc"
I'm pulling the auction until I get a good identification, but I also reported the person to ebay. There is a right way and a wrong way to approach people to let them know of an error, especially when they give a good history of where the item was purchased, what I was told about it, etc. Not to mention they spammed their website on their message... oooooooh, that just chaps my hide. LOL.
posted on August 4, 2008 07:19:57 AM new
I'm still burning at the ears from that guy. I reported his message to ebay, though it will likely do nothing. The guy obviously knows his stuff, but it doesn't give him the right to do what he did.
I've been tempted to contact him and ask, "Why would someone spend $9000 for a Navajo rug, when they can get a great copy made in Mexico for much, much less???"
posted on August 4, 2008 07:39:07 AM new
After playing with terse replies I would be most likely to
respond with "Thank you for the information."
and then let it go.
The short and simple response is more likely to take the wind out of his sails rather than fanning the fire.
(Sorry about the mixed metaphors.)
We all make errors despite our best attempts at correctly identifying items. I have been contacted more than once with helpful input on minerals that we thought we had correctly identified...but never in a rude manner. I applaud you for doing your best to be accurate. Good luck with your research.
posted on August 4, 2008 01:34:46 PM new
Oh my gosh shagmidmod. I am so sorry. It certainly had me fooled. I thought it was a fabulous Navajo rug, with a pattern I had never seen before. The best of good intentions. Shows you what I know.
You are right about that nasty email. My ears burn too, and it wasn't even sent to me.
