Churro Sheep All Natural Wool Navajo Rug

The Artistry of Churro Wool: A Study of Crystal Trading Post Textiles

This exquisite weaving, crafted from the wool of Churro sheep, is a quintessential representation of the superior-quality rugs produced at the renowned Crystal Trading Post. The wool from Churro sheep, celebrated for its exceptional quality, is the most sought-after material for textile creation.

What sets this rug apart is its organic color palette. It shuns the use of commercial dyes. Instead, the spectrum of colors is achieved through a meticulous process of carding natural white, black, and brown sheep wool, resulting in the desired shades that bring the rug to life.

The early textiles from Crystal Trading Post, bearing the creative imprint of J B Moore's designs, predominantly featured crosses, diamonds, terraces, and a simple border. This textile is no exception. Its primary design concept revolves around multi-colored diamonds and half diamonds, lending it a unique visual appeal.

The varying shades of light brown wool are the result of different lots of carded white and brown wools. A weaver typically cards enough wool to last for a certain period, then cards more as needed. The shades vary with each carding, depending on the proportions of white and brown wool used at the time. This process results in a rich tapestry of hues, adding depth and dimension to the textile.

Condition: good condition with some wear patterns evident

Provenance: this Churro Sheep All Natural Wool Navajo Rug is from the collection of a client of the gallery

Recommended Reading: Rugs & Posts: The Story of Navajo Weaving and Indian Trading by H. L. James

TAGS: textiles, Navajo Nation