• Acrylic   A copolymer of polyacrylonitrile. Usually copolymers of acrylonitrile and methyl acrylate or acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate. Most often it is solution dyed (color added when the chemical is in its liquid state).  It is an inexpensive substitute for wool yarn and not looked upon as being genuine when used in Navajo rugs.
• Regional Attribution    Assignment of a regional (trading post area) origin or category or type of weaving, sometimes with accompanying dating.   Various criteria may be used along with evidence supporting that the Navajo rug meets the criteria.  Sometimes both the criteria and the evidence are shaky
• Regional Rug    A rug whose design characteristics pinpoint its origin to an area around an established trading post.  Also a rug woven elsewhere but show regional design styling.  See "Map of the Navajo Reservation."   This author has not been able to find when the term was first coined but certainly the original trading post operators did not think of their rugs as having a regional identity.  Contrary to the thoughts of many in the Indian arts business, most Navajo rugs are non-regional.  In fact, most Navajo rugs do not show enough characteristics to pinpoint them to a specific regional area..

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