A Senna prayer kilim, Northwest Persia

silk foundation

Fine dense weave. Small scattered surface abrasions showing spot warps. Several minute 1/4in. amateur restitching near center. Original sides and ends with knotted warp fringes intact. Some fraying and losses along edges. With small areas of later, now faded, overcasting on both sides. Some losses to upper knotted fringes and a knick to the outer guard border. Now with Velcro hanging band sewing to reverse of top. Sound fabric, generally good condition. Please note that a license may be required to export textiles, rugs and carpets of Iranian origin from the United States. Clients should enquire with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regarding export requirements. Please check with the Carpet department if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to this restriction or if you need assistance with such enquiries Please note that a license may be required to export textiles, rugs and carpets of Iranian origin from the United States. Clients should enquire with the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regarding export requirements. Please check with the Carpet department if you are uncertain as to whether a lot is subject to this restriction or if you need assistance.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Senna kilims on a silk foundation, such as the present lot, are a small and rare group of weavings renowned for their fine slit-tapestry technique, and for being the only group of Persian kilims using the prayer rug format.  The lot offered here is particularly interesting as it is decorated with delicate flowerheads rather than the more typical boteh design.  As in other Senna prayer kilims, the differentiation between the field and arch is marked by a change in color as well as design.  A Senna prayer kilim of similar pattern and coloring is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, see J.V. McMullan, Islamic Carpets, New York 1965, pl. 35.  Related kilims that have appeared at auction recently include Sotheby's New York, 7 December 2010, lot 118; Christie's London, 10 April 2008, lot 89; and Sotheby's London, 27 April 2005, lot 23.  For a further discussion of this group, see Yanni Petsopoulos, "The Qajar Kilims of Senna," Hali, issue 31, pp. 42-47.