Senneh Kilim

Origin

The Senneh KelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → comes from the eponymous town of Senneh (today Sanandaj) in the Iranian province of Kurdistan. This region in western Persia has been known for centuries for its exceptionally fine flatweaves. The Kurdish weavers of Senneh developed a unique kelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → weaving technique that differs markedly from other Persian kelim traditions. The town of Senneh was already a major centre of rug production in the 18th and 19th centuries and produced not only the well-known knotted Senneh rugs but also these special flatweaves.

Characteristics

Senneh Kelims are distinguished by their exceptionally fine weave and the characteristic "Senneh weave". This special weaving technique produces a particularly dense and even surface. The patterns are mostly geometric and frequently show the traditional HeratiHeratiKlassisches Muster aus einem Rautenrahmen mit zentraler Rosette und vier gebogenen Blättern (Fisch-Motiv). Sehr verbreitet in persischen Dorfteppichen.Read in glossary → design with stylised fish and diamonds. Typical too are medallion patterns in the centre of the field, surrounded by floral ornaments. The palette covers predominantly warm earth tones such as rust red, dark blue, beige, and brown, complemented by accents in green and ivory. Borders mostly show several narrow secondary stripes alongside the main border.

Material and technique

Senneh Kelims use only high-quality sheep's wool, valued for its fineness and firmness. The warp is mostly cotton, while the weft is woven from fine wool. The characteristic Senneh weave is a variant of kelimKelimFlachgewebe ohne Flor, bei dem Muster durch farbige Schussfäden erzeugt werden. Leichter und dünner als geknüpfte Teppiche.Read in glossary → weaving in which weft threads are worked particularly densely and evenly. This technique requires great skill and experience from weavers. Natural dyes are obtained from regional plants such as madder, walnut shells, and indigoIndigoPflanzlicher Farbstoff aus der Indigopflanze, der tiefe Blautöne erzeugt. Einer der wichtigsten Naturfarbstoffe orientalischer Teppiche.Read in glossary →. A typical Senneh Kelim has about 80–120 weft threads per 10 centimetres.

Worth knowing

Production of authentic Senneh Kelims has declined significantly today, since the traditional weaving techniques are mastered only by a few makers. These kelims have always been considered luxury objects and were significantly more expensive than ordinary kelims from other regions. Interestingly, Senneh became famous for both knotted rugs and kelims — both traditions developed in parallel in the same town. Collectors particularly value pieces from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The political turmoil in the Kurdistan region has further hampered traditional production.