Senneh carpets were woven in the area of Sanandaj or Senneh in the region of Kurdistan in Northwest Persia. Thery are prized for the fineness of their weave, their rich but delicate color palette, and the controlled, complex geometry of their design. The design of this lovely example relates closely to rugs from the nearby Bidjar region in northwest Persia. It utilizes a delicately serrated hexagonal central medallion within an oblong hexagonal field enclosed by cornerpieces. The ornamental detail here is unusual, however. Rather than utilizing the mina khani or the herati patterns more customary on Senneh rugs, this one relies in both the field and cornerpieces upon a delicate allover vinescroll design embellished by small flowers and boteh or paisley elements. The fine geometric patterning is consistent across both areas with only the ivory ground of the field distinguishing it form the blue ground cornerpieces. But then the detail of the central medallion departs surprisingly from the rest of the field in its more classical, curvilinear asymmetrical floral detail. Its deep blue ground echoes that of the cornerpieces, but its distinctive ornamental detail adds a singular accent at the center of the composition. The borders too are quite unusual within the Senneh production. The main border consists of a series of miniature medallions arranged in series with tiny floral space fillers against the rich terracotta ground, while the minor borders use rectilinear, meander-like vinescrolls whose vegetal aspect is barely discernible. The final surprise is the all silk wefting of the foundation, a hidden luxury that discloses the extraordinary care and subtlety of the weaver.
