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At Richardson’s Trading Post, we have always believed that a rug is more than a floor covering; it is a woven record of a weaver’s life. Since 1913, our creaky wooden floors in Gallup, New Mexico, have played host to thousands of masterworks, each brought in by the very hands that spent months—sometimes years—creating them. In an era of mass production, understanding what makes authentic Native American wool rugs so significant is the first step in truly appreciating their value.
The Foundation: The Purity of the Wool
The journey of a high-quality Native American woven rug begins long before the first thread is placed. Historically, and among the master weavers Richardson’s works with today, the process starts with the sheep. From the rugged Navajo Churro sheep comes a wool that is uniquely long, lustrous, and low in lanolin.
This raw wool is hand-carded and hand-spun. This isn’t just a matter of tradition; hand-spinning creates a variegated texture that machine-made yarn simply cannot replicate. When you run your hand across one of our native american rugs, you are feeling a “living” material that has been prepared with the same techniques passed down through generations.
The Loom: A Months-Long Meditation
Unlike industrial looms that use horizontal frames, traditional Navajo rugs are woven on upright, vertical looms. There is no automated shuttle flying back and forth. Instead, the weaver sits on the floor, meticulously threading each strand of wool by hand.
Because there is no “template” or drawing behind the loom, the complex geometry of native american rug patterns is often composed entirely in the weaver’s mind. The design evolves as the rug grows. This is why every piece at Richardson’s is one-of-a-kind; the weaver’s mood, the change of seasons, and the natural variations in the wool all influence the final outcome. It is a slow, meditative process where a single square inch can take hours to complete.
Identifying True Authenticity
With the rise of “native-style” decor, the market is unfortunately flooded with synthetic replicas. However, an authentic Native American rug carries specific hallmarks. Look for the “lazy lines”—diagonal breaks in the weave where a weaver focused on one section of a large rug before moving to the next. Feel the weight and the slight, natural imperfections that signal a human touch.
At Richardson’s, our role for over a century has been to serve as the bridge between these master weavers and the collector. We hand-select every piece for its cultural integrity and technical skill. Whether it is a Ganado Red or a muted Two Grey Hills, our rugs represent a direct relationship with the artist.
Why It Matters
When you bring an authentic Native American area rug into your home, you aren’t just decorating a space; you are preserving a craft. You are supporting the continuation of an art form that requires immense patience and profound skill. At Richardson’s, we don’t just sell products; we help you inherit a piece of Southwest history—one thread at a time.
