The lot features a wonderful vintage, hand knotted and woven rug with Chief’s Blanket Cross pattern from the Zapotec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. The Zapotec peoples of the village Teotitlan del Valle have a long weaving tradition that dates back to the Pre-Hispanic times. It is said that the Zapotec people paid tribute to the Aztecs in woven goods, a much different weaving than what is known today. Later, the arrival of the Spaniards brought sheep and subsequently the weaving of wool, the spinning wheel, and the backstrap loom. The rugs are woven in the same style and manner as the Navajo Indians of North America and are still hand knotted from fine wool, showing similar rug patterns. This blanket or rug shows a wonderful color scheme ranging from dark blues, black, dark greens, teal, and white/cream to reds and yellows. The piece shows a linear design with six large four sided crosses and two smaller four sided crosses near the center. The ends show a fringe, the main difference between a Navajo and a Zapotec rug. Measures overall 56" x 32."