We have always enjoyed an interest in the enchanting southwest and mesoamerican ancient and contemporary art. Originally, in the early 1980’s, Navajo blankets or rugs shopping, was a mission to adorn our own home with authentic Native American art. As time passed we cultivated our interest in Navajo blankets, rugs and weavings. We decorated a second home, rug shopped for friends, acquired clients, and a pleasurable hobby transformed into our business, Taos Trading Post. Living in the Taos New Mexico area, notably the hub of Native American art, a short excursion affords our opportunity to regularly visit the Navajo reservation; and personally evaluate the Navajo rugs and blankets we fittingly select.
Good quality Navajo weavings are heirloom investments, and will increase in value. Taos Trading Post does not trade antique Navajo blankets or museum quality Navajo tapestries of 80 or more wefts per running inch; either commanding up to $10,000 or more. Our strategy, is to cater to the average buyer; we specialize in contemporary authentic high quality good to fine Navajo weavings. We include our pledge, a Navajo Native American Indian Certificate of Authenticity, with every Navajo rug we sell.
Experts assert prices for good quality Navajo blankets and Navajo weavings increased 700% from the mid 1960’s to mid 1980’s, and over the past 20 years, is increasing by 10 to 20% per year. Navajo weaving has been in existence for approximately 300 years. Unquestionable, This Native American art will undergo further change, and one possibility is a decline. The more optimistic view is that Navajo weaving is on the threshold of widespread public acceptance for what it is, an art form. Today, rug production is high, the quality is excellent and rug prices continue to climb. It is our hope this pattern continues, and Americanization will not someday be the demise of Navajo weaving and this Native American art. In either event, buying a Navajo rug is a good investment.
As an alternative to authentic Navajo weavings, we also offer Navajo rug replicas made either in Mexico by Zapotec weavers, or in India by Tibetan-Nepalese weavers. We recognize although some buyers appreciate the Navajo style and design, they choose to decorate attractively but more affordable, and are not currently willing to pay for Navajo quality and authenticity. Understanding this market, our trips to Mexico, provide the ideal occasion to look in on local market places, trading the traditional southwest and Navajo design rug art of the Zapotec weavers from surrounding villages. These Indian rugs and Zapotec Mexican rugs are not a threat to the high quality Navajo rug, but an alternative; and upon close at hand examination, are easily differentiated from authentic Navajo blankets and rugs. These replicas contain the classic colors and do; however, add Native American art and introduce Southwest Indian atmosphere to your home, but at a fraction of the cost.
