Germantown Rug Sampler

Circa 1890 42" x 20"
 
When wool was scarce for the Navajo in the late 1800's the traders imported pre dyed plied carpet yarn and gave it to their best weavers. The Navajo women loved the bright colors and created many beautiful masterpieces many of which were termed 'eye dazzlers'. This is a small 'Sampler' and was used as an example of a pattern that could be made into a large floor rug. Traders would keep many of the Samplers in their trading post for tourist to choose from. Now they are few and far between.