Senneh is the historical name for the city of Sanandaj, the capital of Iranian Kurdistan province. The city is one of the most distinctive Kurdish rug-weaving centers — and despite its Kurdish location, Senneh rugs are technically among the finest in all of Persian weaving.
The Senneh knot is in fact one of the standard names for the asymmetric (Persian) knot, named after the city — even though Senneh weavers also use it. The naming reflects how influential Senneh weaving has been in the development of fine knotted-pile production.
Characteristics of Senneh rugs:
- Very fine knot density — Senneh rugs can range from 200–500+ KPSI, exceptional for a Kurdish region
- Thin, supple weave — Senneh rugs are typically less plush than other Kurdish weavings, with a tightly clipped pile that emphasizes design clarity
- All-over patterns are common, especially the Herati (Mahi) and Boteh patterns repeated across the field
- Medallion designs also appear, but with a more decorative, less geometric character than other Kurdish weavings
- Refined color palette with ivory, soft red, and indigo grounds
Senneh kilims are a separate and equally celebrated category. Senneh kilims are among the finest flatweaves in the Persian tradition — exceptionally fine slit-tapestry technique, often with boteh and herati patterns rendered with the precision more typical of knotted-pile production. Antique Senneh kilims are some of the most highly collected Persian textiles in the world.
In the rug trade, Senneh is typically discussed alongside Bijar, Bidjar, and Garrus as the major Kurdish rug categories — but Senneh is the one most often grouped with fine Persian city rugs in terms of refinement.