The Foundation for Las Cruces Museum is sponsoring its 3rd annual Navajo Rug Auction to benefit the Las Cruces museum system and Navajo weavers. Items to be auctioned will consist of contemporary and vintage authentic handmade Navajo rugs and baskets.
Events associated with the auction will be held Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15 at the Branigan Cultural Center, 501 North Main Street.
On Friday, October 14 from 4 pm – 8 pm, the Foundation will host a jewelry sale and appraisal session. For $10 per item you can have your Native American rugs, baskets, jewelry and similar items appraised. Sorry, no Kachina dolls or paintings.
All auction items will be available for preview on Saturday 9 am – 11:30 am, with the auction beginning at noon. Local weavers will be on-site to identify handspun, handcarded, and vintage pieces and to help identify important features of the rugs.
During the preview on October 15 weaving demonstrations will be provided by a group of Native American weavers. Weavers will be present throughout the auction, from 9 am to close, answering questions. They will give a special presentation for children at 11am.
Navajo, or Diné, weavers are renowned world-wide for their virtuosic weaving and Navajo rugs are quintessential aspects of the Southwestern cultural landscape. More than 200 hundred rugs in a wide range of styles, both historic and recently completed, will be on display and available for purchase. The auction will be run by R.B. Burnham & Co.
Whether you are a collector or just learning, this is a great opportunity to view a variety of styles and learn more on the history of Navajo rug weaving. Browse, bid and take home a unique handmade textile. Proceeds benefitNavajo weavers, the Branigan Cultural Center, and the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums. Admission is free.
For more information, visit http://www.foundationlcm.com or www.facebook.com/FoundationLCMuseums/.