Navajo Crystal Rug By J. B. Moore

ca 1920

91" x 59" 

The trader John Bradford Moore established the Crystal Trading Post in 1896. 

JB Moore was quite the innovator and marketed Navajo rugs through mail-order catalogs, where the purchaser could choose from a number of plate designs. This excellent example is a slight variation of one of those plate designs dates to about 1910. 

The design is a classic storm pattern with whirling logs and brown, red, and beige homespun wool.

Professionally cleaned and detailed 8-20-25

Excellent Overall Condition

---

The Navajo storm pattern is a famous geometric rug design that symbolizes a desert rainstorm, the Navajo sacred landscape, and traditional creation stories.
Key Design Elements and Meaning: A standard storm pattern weaving features a distinct layout with specific symbolic meanings: Central Rectangle: Represents the center of the universe, the heavens, or the Lake of Emergence. The Four Corner Blocks: Represent the Four Sacred Mountains that border the traditional Navajo homeland. Zigzag Diagonal Lines: Represent lightning bolts connecting the center to the mountains, carrying blessings back and forth. Side Arrows: Symbolize thunder. Small Edge Symbols: Represent clouds, rain, snowflakes, and water bugs (desert water skimmers that appear when it rains).Unlike many other traditional rug styles that rely on a central diamond motif, the storm pattern uses rectangular framing and energetic directional lines to map out weather and spiritual balance.