Tribal rugs, whether from Asia’s Caucasian lands or the American West, are distinguished by vivid geometries, repeating patterns, and often mind-blowing color. With a hand-eye connection that’s cooly cerebral, they were modern before Modernism. No wonder artists and intellectuals love them. Frank Stella, the minimalist painter and sculptor, collected Navajo (Diné) textiles for five-plus decades. When he acquired new pieces he would lay them out on his living room floor, settle into his Eames chair, and enjoy the dazzle for days. He then stored the rugs safely in cedar chests. Stella’s collection is now on view in a selling exhibition. Offered by Peter Pap Rugs, the 40 pieces can be seen at Arader Galleries. —Laura Jacobs