Rug Of The Week - Storm by May Shay

by John Aldrich

The storm pattern is a regional design that arose in the western part of the Navajo reservation. This relatively simple example by May Shay has all the basic elements: four rectangles in the corners symbolizing  either the four sacred mountains or the four winds, four zig-zag lines connecting the rectangles to the center symbolizing lightning, a border with jagged edges on one side, and a variety of other elements including bugs and insects as well as geometric shapes.

May is one of our older weavers which helps explain why this rug isn't overly complicated. It's simplicity, however, is one of its virtues.

May is asking $375 for her rug which measures 29" x 42".  Here is the rug catalog listing, 6195.

This is May at the Big Mountain food run last spring:

She is holding a rug which she donated to the program. Generosity such as this is common amongst the Elders.

May was one of the original Big Mountain Elders when Linda first started making trips to the reservation 25 years ago, and she has attended all the rug shows since their inception. Her quiet, reserved demeanor belies her fierce independence, determination, and inner strength.

See this 2010 post for more information about the rug catalog.

Notes: Every effort has been made to photograph and present the rugs with as accurate rendition of color as possible. It's not possible, however, to be certain that your computer won't show some variance. Where two prices are listed in the catalog, the higher represents what the weaver hopes to receive and the lower, the minimum she will accept. As has always been the case at ANE all the proceeds of every rug sale go entirely to the weaver. Prices are set by the weaver, and since there is no "middleman" they are typically very reasonable.