Help with Navajo Rugs

Hi -

I am heartbroken because the Navajo rugs I inherited from my aunt were severely damaged when my basement flooded. My cousin told me the rugs are about 30 years old and she thinks they were purchased in Santa Fe.

They measure 2x10, 3x5 and 4x6. Can anyone estimate their value and tell me if they can be restored anywhere?

Thanks

 

If it makes you feel any better, these are not Navajo. And probably not worth spending anything on them to be "restored."

The Navajo are the only U.S. tribe that weaves rugs, and they are identified not by the design, but by the way they are woven. They will never be woven with fringe on the ends. In fact, it is physically impossible to weave a rug with fringe on both ends on a Navajo loom. It will instead have four finished selvedge edges, and will have four yarn ends tied together in each corner

In addition, they use a unique weaving technique, and the resulting tapestry weaving will be weft-faced, meaning that the warp threads are completely covered by the weft, and are not visible.

 

As Taupou has said, your rugs are not Navajo. They look more like rugs known as dhurries, which are made in India.

 

Dhurries was my first impression.

 

I should have added that it would probably be safe to take them to a competent dry cleaner.

 

Thanx so much for the help everyone. So glad I discovered this site