Crystal Trading Post Rug with Cruciform Design [R]

The Introduction to J. B. Moore’s 1903 mail order catalog states “While this Booklet makes no claim of being a pioneer in its field, I think it may justly claim to be the first of its kind published and distributed from the very center of the Navajo Indian Reservation, by an Indian Trader living among and dealing directly with the Indians who make the goods which it illustrates and describes.”

Moore was a trader who believed in helping the Navajo in his area of the reservation.  He published catalogs of Navajo rugs, jewelry, baskets and curios for the purpose of generating a market for those crafts among people far removed from the reservation who may never visit it but, hopefully, would purchase their crafts from his catalogs.  His catalogs featured 31 Navajo rug patterns from which to select.  He specified grades of quality, sizes of rugs and patterns which could be specified by the client.  If the client wanted a specific quality, say the best, then he would select the weaver who made the best rugs.  If the client wanted to save money, he selected a weaver of lesser quality output.

In Plate XXX, of the catalog of 1911, he listed a rug as a special design and weave by the Navajo weaver Bi-leen Al-pai-bi-zha-Ahd.  He states “She will never weave after a pattern designed by another nor can she be induced to duplicate one woven by herself once she has done it.”

This rug is a variation of the published one in Plate XXX and was the weaver’s way of weaving another rug of similar style but not an exact duplicate.  The central field of the textile has two cross elements that anchor the pattern and define it.  The other small designs in rectangles and diamonds are fillers.  The wide white border if filled with “water bugs” in dark and light brown colors.  A dark brown outer border is all natural brown sheep wool. 

J. B. Moore left the reservation in 1911, but weavers continued producing rugs of that style for a number of years after.  This rug was made around 1915-1920.

Condition: recently cleaned and repaired and ready for use. Some minor staining

Recommended Reading: J. B. Moore – United States Licensed Indian Trader -  Collection of Catalogs Published at Crystal Trading Post 1903-1911, Avanyu Publishing, Albuquerque,1987.

Provenance: unknown