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Back in 1975 my wife and I were travelling overland from India to Greece via Pakistan Afghanistan iran and Turkey. We met a fellow along the way who encouraged us to visit a rug merchant in Mashad, Iran. We were a bit wary of course but it was great experience...cups of tea and huge piles of rugs and kilims....and tucked away in a pile was this kilim. From Senneh he said...a smoking rug ...he said, pointing to the opium poppies and the hookas ( it was the 70's after all) We bought it for $150 US if I remember correctly and took the risk of having him post it to us in Melbpurne...a decision I regret to this day, because while it did turn up some months after we got back, it had been packed in a plastic bag and it had got damp and smaelled rather strongly of rats piss. Anyway it is greatly treasured for its memories and beauty and I am hoping some information about it may suface from this forum. Senneh or not. Possible age. Motifs etc. 
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I have no idea about the rug but the story is amazing! A true Silk Road adventure in a time one could do it. And what a treasure to have from that time.Joe Lawrence -
Thanks Joe! yes it was quite an experience...Silk Road indeed. Incidentally some time later we bought, from the same dealer, an Afghani woven piece...strip woven I think and then the strips sewn together to make a large piece. I may post pictures some time!Comment
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HI and welcome to Turkotek.
User IDs on this site are required to be first and last name, we do not permit pseudonyms. So please change your user ID to your name, or post it here and I'll update it for you.
And, yes, that is a Senneh kilim. I have no particular knowledge of the motifs other than to say those on yours, are seen frequently. As for age it's likely 20th century; the palette is a little richer on older pieces but similar, but the borders on older work are often complex, multiple, and quite different. These are always more fun to look at up close; variations in dyes and wool become visible and the often complex motifs can be considered individually. These pieces wear well but I'd put some rugstop under it if you intend to have it on a hard floor. Not quite like a banana peel, but getting there..
Regards
Chuck WagnerComment
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G'Day Chuck...thanks for your remarks and advice about the kilim. The kilim is rather fragile so it hangs on the wall and I dare not even think of washing it...the experience of attempting it when it arrived in the mail so damp and smelly was rather scary! I have always thought that it is quite old based on its slightly brittle feel and the amount of mending it has recieved as well as variations in the dye colours. I will have to search a bit harder online or books to find more examples of senneh kilims to fully understand your comments on the design, and I look forward to this...any suggestions very much appreciated. thanks again Chuck...regards David MarsdenComment
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David,
A great book on kilims is: "KILIM The Complete Guide" by Hull and Luczyc-Wyhowska ISBN 0-500-28221-8
It's a survey of the greaters kilim universe with a lot of good info. There are other books out there that specialize by region and/or tribal affiliation that often delve into characteristics of newer vs older.
Regards
ChuckComment
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thank you Chuck..I have found a copy. ( and please would you mind changing my post name to conform to site rules!)Comment
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Hi,
I changed your user name to David Marsden; password should be the same. Let me know if you have problems.
Regards
ChuckComment
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