Senneh Kilim (281)

Senneh prayer kilim from northern Persia (Iran)

Age: circa 1840

Size: 4′.6″x3′.3″ (137×99 cm)

This unusual Senneh kilim presents an ascending chevron mihrab pattern compose of color peaks in ivory,red,blue,cochineal,rose and navy,on a dark navy ground.The matching navy border displays floating hexagons enclosing smaller hooked elements,all in blue,navy,red,cochineal,rose and yellow.The main border is flanked by red and white and black and white keyhole reciprocals,trademark of a nomadic Persian piece.At each end is a narrow brocaded red strip and warps gathered into knots.The weave is fine and the texture is very flexible.All the colors are from natural sources.The condition is good except for minor side issues and a small hole in the center.There is a very similar example in New York Metropolitan Museum,most probably woven by the same nomads.