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R.B. Burnham & Co. Navajo Rugs

Legend tells us that the Navajo were taught to weave by Spiderwoman.  The first loom was fashioned by Spiderman using clamshell, jet, turquoise, abalone, rain and lightning. Weaving has been passed down through Navajo families for hundreds of years.   Although most weaving is done by women,  there have always been male weavers.  Ann Lane Hedlund of the Arizona State Museum estimates that there are approximately 25,000 active Navajo weavers today.   Those who say that Navajo weaving is a dying art are very mistaken.  The art form is changing and evolving, yes, but it is in no way vanishing.  

Bruce and Virginia have been trading rugs for more than 30 years and in that time they have helped to develop several distinct rug styles including the New Lands Raised Outline, Burntwater, Germantown Revival and Spider Rock.  Bruce was even cajoled into trying his hand at weaving when the weavers complained that he shouldn't be criticizing the rugs since he didn't have any idea how they were woven.  His finished sampler has a "mistake" that he used so consistently that one of the weavers asked him how he did it so that she could incorporate it into her rugs.  

Many area families have generations of weavers who trade their rugs through Burnham's and if you visit our rug gallery, you are likely to meet one or more weavers who have come in to trade, buy some wool, or just to say "Ya'at'ééh" (Hello!).  Bruce and Virginia have worked very hard to provide support for the weavers by stocking yarns spun specifically for Navajo weaving, Germantown yarns, and vegetally dyed yarns.    They also carry hard-to-find weaving tools, warp yarns, and other weaving supplies.  

If you don't see the style of rug that you are looking for, please drop us a line.  We may have one, or may be able to have it woven for you.   On this page you will see a sample of the rugs that are in our gallery now.  We are making every effort to keep our web page up to date with items that are in stock, but all items are subject to prior sale.  Please contact us if you have questions on any of the rugs.  


Contemporary rugs
Louise Begay Teec Nos Pos




Louise Begay
Rug 5399
9'x12'
$18000
Click here to puchase this rug
Maybelle Begay Germantown Pictorial




Teec Nos Pos
Ella King
Rug 5403
5'x8'
$8400
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Mae Clark Parting



The Parting
Mae Clark
Rug 5462
36"x48"
$2995
This rug is sold
Maybelle Begay Two Grey Hills

Two Grey Hills
Maybelle Begay
Rug 5416
35"x60"
$2200
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Mae Clark Parting



Pueblo Pottery
Mae Clark
Rug 5395
36"x50"
$3750
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Mae Clark Cardinal Rug


Birds of Diné Bikeyah
Mae Clark
Rug 5412
37"x49"
$3600
This rug has been sold
Harriet Whitney Spider Rock

Spider Rock Rug
Harriet Whitney
Rug 5373
31"x49"
$1250
This rug has been sold
Linda Smith Germantown

Germantown Eye Dazzler
Linda Smith
Rug 5806
36"x60"
$2680
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Emily Malone Four in One Teec Nos Pos

Four Roads to Teec Nos Pos
Emily Malone
Rug 5407
54"x85"
$9000
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5377 Mae Clark Bluebirds

Bluebirds of Diné Bikeyah
Mae Clark
Rug 5377
35"x50"
$3600
Click here to puchase this rug
Emily Malone Burntwater Yei












Burntwater Yei Rug in a Rug
Emily Blake
Rug 5303
25"x49"
$2295
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Maybelle Begay Germantown Pictorial



Germantown Revival Pictorial
Maybelle Begay
Rug 5374
37"x53"
$5700
Click here to puchase this rug
Maybelle Begay Germantown Pictorial



Dual Shade Ganado Red
Shirley Tsinnie
Rug 5385
53"x*6"
$8200
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Vintage rugs
Vintage 1920 Crystal


Rug 1101ASHO
40" x 66"
$1500
Click here to puchase this rug
Vintae Ganado Red

Ganado Red

Rug AROO 3600
42" x 84"
$2750
Click here to puchase this rug
Vintage 1950 Klagetoh

Circa 1950 Klagetoh

Rug 5327 AS65
50" x 72"
$2100
Click here to puchase this rug
Vintage 1940 Crystal

Circa 1940 Crystal

Rug 1113 ASOO
36"x60"
$1400
Click here to puchase this rug

Updated on 03/17/08
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Highway 191, Sanders, AZ
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