Navajo Rug 5'9" x 5'2" electric, bold Hubbell Trading Post transitional weaving featuring a central whirling log. All wools in this piece were handshorn, hand-carded and hand-dyed by the weaver using Native long-staple Churro sheep wool. Circa 1890. $4,000-6,000 Provenance: Ranchfolks Navajo Rugs. Since the late 1930s, in total alignment with the deep sentiments of their fellow Americans, the Navajo people have refrained from incorporating the whirling log symbols due to their beloved symbol looking so much like the Nazi swastika. The likeness of the two symbols was purely accidental. The whirling logs or crossed spruce logs give the impression of circular motion by the bent ends. Whirling logs in the Navajo language is called that which revolves, and is considered a sacred symbol used in Navajo religious ceremonies in their sand paintings probably as far back as the early 1800s or earlier. This symbol was taken from the sacred sand paintings of the Nightway and the Feather Chant and put into weavings starting around the late 1880s.

No a/b sides. All corner tassels intact. Excellent condition.