North American Auction Company
Live Auction

Fine Montana Collector Sale - April 2023

Sat, Apr 22, 2023 11:00AM EDT
Lot 360

Navajo Old Crystal Gallup Trading Post Rug c1950's

Estimate: $400 - $800

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
Featured in this lot is this Navajo Old Crystal Gallup trading post salesman sampler rug circa 1950's. The rug features a traditional Gallup decoration with the short fringe on the one side of the rug and shows a old crystal decoration with red and orange coloration set to a off white field. The Old Crystal trading post was established in 1894, in a remote part of the Navajo Reservation southwest of Two Grey Hills and northwest of Gallup, NM. In 1896, J.B. Moore purchased an interest in the trading post and re-named it Crystal after a pure sparkling mountain spring that was in the area. Due to the remoteness of the Trading Post, he started using a mail order catalog to sell his rugs to the eastern market. The first catalog came out in 1903, with another in 1911. He left the reservation in 1911. During his stay at Crystal, he greatly influenced the change in styles of Navajo rugs being produced at the Crystal Trading Post. The condition of this rug is good with no obvious signs of damage and shows good overall condition. The measurements of this rug are 19 1/2" x 19 3/4"