Navajo Crystal Rug

ca. 1920

79" H x 48" W  

Tightly Hand Woven with Diamond Motif Design with Natural Colors in Dark Brown, Golden Light Brown, Cream and Tan

In Good Condition

Recently Professionally Cleaned 04-2026

Navajo Crystal Rugs are a distinctive regional style of Navajo (Diné) weaving that originated from the Crystal Trading Post in the Chuska Mountains of western New Mexico (established around 1896). 

Early Crystal (circa 1900–1920s/1930s) often feature bordered geometric compositions influenced by Oriental rug patterns that Moore introduced. Common motifs include hooks, frets, chevrons, crosses, diamonds, terraces, whirling logs (sometimes called "waterbugs"), arrows, and other elements. Many use hand-spun wool in natural colors (browns, grays, creams from Churro sheep wool) with accents of aniline (synthetic) dyes, especially red. Some early examples are simple with natural brown backgrounds.