Authentic Navajo rug, Classic Ganado, weaver Helen Curley, 26.5″ x 42.5″, $977

Ganado Navajo RugsThis handwoven Ganado rug is from our personal collection, was purchased at Hubbell Trading Post, Ganado AZ in the early 1980s, and includes the Hubbell Certificate of Genuineness. The weaver is Helen Curley. The rug stayed in safekeeping rolled until recently, and includes a functional but easily removable strip of cedar backing along the 52 in border, since it is currently displayed lengthways as a wall hanging.

Ganado emerged as one of the original regional style centers during the Rug Period 1890-1920, and is often thought of as the classic Navajo rug. An uncomplicated geometric design theme dominated by the serrate, or stair-stepped diamond, on a beautifully dark red background, characterizes the Ganado. In some pieces one diamond is drawn out from end to end, as in this weave; in others, three adjoining or interlocking diamonds fill most of the space. Ganado rug colors are traditionally red, black, gray and white, usually with a border of black or red.