{"product_id":"221013-02-navajo-pictorial-yei-rug","title":"An Early Navajo Pictorial Yei Rug","description":"\u003cp\u003eca 1920\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e47\" x 36\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmooth hand spun wool warp and weft. With the rarely seen Red Field, with variation of red tones in the field giving the piece an organic nature. With large Female (square head) Rainbow Yei figure and two Large Standing Male (round heads)  Yei Figures. Excellent overall condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom a Private New York Collection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Yei rug portrays \u003cstrong\u003eHoly People\u003c\/strong\u003e—supernatural beings who mediate between humans and the spiritual realm. These designs emerged in the \u003cstrong\u003eearly 20th century\u003c\/strong\u003e when Diné weavers began translating ceremonial imagery into wool under strict cultural rules. Yei rugs are \u003cstrong\u003edevotional pictorials\u003c\/strong\u003e, not just decorative textiles. They visually echo elements from sandpainting traditions, though always in an altered, respectful form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYei figures represent:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul role=\"list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHealing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBalance (Hózhó)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConnection to the Holy People\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProtection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn ceremonial sandpaintings, Yei stand on a \u003cstrong\u003erainbow path\u003c\/strong\u003e, but rugs often omit or stylize this element to avoid replicating sacred designs too literally. The \u003cstrong\u003ediamond motifs\u003c\/strong\u003e between your figures likely represent \u003cstrong\u003edirectional balance\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eportal symbols\u003c\/strong\u003e, common in mid‑century Yei rugs.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Antique American Indian Art","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45877559525541,"sku":"221013-02","price":5500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/6071\/5685\/files\/s725348264778838518_p9088_i1_w779.jpg?v=1757347126","url":"https:\/\/antiqueamericanindianart.com\/products\/221013-02-navajo-pictorial-yei-rug","provider":"Antique American Indian Art","version":"1.0","type":"link"}