4 x 6 Antique Senneh Rug, Kurdistan Province, Northwest Persia, Circa 1890
Senneh rugs, woven in northwest Persia’s Kurdistan province, are renowned for their quality and aesthetics. Unlike their Bidjar counterparts, also woven in Persian Kurdistan but with a much denser weave, Senneh rugs employ a “single knotted” construction, where both warp (vertical foundation) threads for an individual knot are continuous on a flat plane, rather than being stacked one over the other as seen in Bidjar rugs. This gives Senneh rugs a lighter weight and more pliable hand, and they are also characterized by the distinctive sand paper like texture of the back of the rug, where the wool forming the knots is twisted.
Some Senneh rugs are extraordinarily finely woven, with 400 or so knots, or perhaps even more, per square inch. Many others, such as this example, are of medium fine weave and that is where graphics and color come into play. This rug has the “open field” format so favored by Kurdish weavers in Senneh and Bidjar, in this case decorated with two denim blue medallions. The wide major border has some of the feel of early 19th century Fereghan rugs.
We sold this rug many years ago to clients whose home was modern and featured a great collection of modern art, showing how an eclectic mix of types of art from different periods can comport beautifully.
