J. B. Moore Crystal Trading Post Rug [SOLD]

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J. B. Moore, Trader at Crystal Trading Post in New Mexico from 1900 to 1911 is now famous for introducing weavers to new patterns of textiles he felt would be saleable to Easterners for use as rugs. With the arrival of the railroad and commercially made blankets, the need for Navajo women to weave blankets diminished. To keep the weaving tradition alive, traders like J.B. Moore encouraged the local weavers to weave rugs. Moore published catalogs exhibiting the rugs and marketed the rugs across the United States. The early weavings which were published in a 1903 catalog, were more like classic Navajo textiles and those published in a 1911 catalog were more like Persian rugs.

It was his intent to have weavers make rugs that looked familiar to Easterners. Easterners were buying Persian carpets, so his patterns were made to be similar. It is said the traders posted images of Persian carpets on the walls of the trading posts, and the weavers were encouraged to weave similar designs. The weavers, who had been accustomed to weaving blankets, added borders and geometric elements more popular to the East Coast buyer. His idea worked and established a market for the Navajo women’s work. Over 100 years later, some of these rugs are still in use. This one is an example of the durability of Moore’s product and the beauty of his designs.

This rug has a double border, in red and tan. Two symmetrical stars are set in the center, set against a creamy white background.  These are referred to as Vallero Stars and were influenced by textiles from Mexico.  Triangle shapes in red and grey enclose the stars.  The wool was hand carded and natural colors as well as aniline dyes were used.

 

Condition: this J. B. Moore Crystal Trading Post Rug is in good condition with minimal soiling

Provenance: From a former client, now in New York, to whom we sold this in 1998

Recommended Reading:  THE NAVAJO a reprint in its entirety of a catalog published by J. B. Moore, Indian Trader, of the Crystal Trading Post, New Mexico, in 1903

Close up view of this textile.