woven by Bi-leen Alpi Bi-zha-ahd (according to Plate XXIV in the 1911 JB Moore Catalog)
Provenance available
Excellent condition

This Regional rug has the distinction of being one of the rare identical examples of a pattern pictured in the J B Moore Crystal Trading Post Catalog of 1911. While it is not the exact piece illustrated in the Catalog (this rug is smaller than the one in the photos), it is an exact duplicate in terms of design and colors.

It is rare that we can make an attribution to weaver for Navajo textiles woven before World War II. The Catalog clearly identifies the weaver with a photo of her helping hold the one illustrated in the Catalog.

The completion of the railroads in the Southwest by 1880 led to the formation of new trading posts in New Mexico and Arizona. Traders could now directly market Navajo textiles to the large Anglo market in the Midwest, East, and West. JB Moore developed the marketing strategy of publishing Catalogues of Navajo textiles. Buyers could order from the catalogue, indicating the design by the Plate number, color, quality and size of the textile they wanted.  

The Navajos are extremely artistic, creative and adaptabe. The weaver often made her own modifications to the design ordered.  It is rare to have a textile that is the exact plate design, such as this. Moreover, this rug  is a fine quality textile and it has survived the years in excellent condition.