$4,800
This type of Persian Carpet is known in Persia and the worldwide trade as Ardebil Senneh Baf. Most Ardebil carpets use large scale geometric designs because the population is akin to the Azerbaijan Republic, both originating from the Kizil Bash tribes of the Turkic Ak Koyanlu horde.
The Ardebil Senneh Baf is distinct because it nods to a more Persianate sensibility. Finely knotted, sensitively hued, and with the design of a fishpond as an existential metaphor. It has been said the fishpond pattern is to exercise the Sufi idea of layers of consciousness, and should be clearer/stronger towards the centre, whilst having no technical change.
Pure woollen symmetrical knots on a cotton warp, two weft shoots per row of knots.
Ardebil has a Sufi shrine that is an important pilgrimage centre. The famous Ardebil Carpets now in the Getty and the V&A were gifted to the shrine during the Safavid era. The Safavid Empire and the fact of Persia being a Shia Islam country began in Ardebil in the early 16th century.
A Tour de Force of Persian Art.
In stock
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Your rug will be shipped within 1-3 business days and should arrive within 3-5 business days from the ship date. Multiple items within the same order may not arrive together.
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Domestic shipping we use TNT express couriers & Aus post.
International shipping we use INTERPARCEL.
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. Please contact us as soon as possible if you are considering a return. Buyer is responsible for return postage cost. Any returns must be unused and in original of when purchased.
No returns on our “Clearance” rugs or any rugs on sale.
The Fine Ardebil Persian Rug is a true tour de force of Persian art, a weaving that combines centuries of tribal heritage with the refined sensibilities of Persian design. At The Rug Shop, we are proud to present these remarkable rugs online, bringing their unique blend of symbolism, history, and craftsmanship into the hands of collectors and admirers worldwide.
Ardebil, located in northwest Persia, is one of the most culturally significant cities in Persian history. It was here in the early 16th century that the Safavid Empire took root, establishing Persia as a Shia state. The city also houses one of the most important Sufi shrines in the Islamic world, and the famous Ardebil Carpets—now preserved in the Getty and the Victoria & Albert Museum—were originally gifted to this shrine during the Safavid era. These masterpieces have long symbolised the city’s role as a spiritual and artistic centre.
Within the trade, this type of rug is known as Ardebil Senneh Baf, a name that distinguishes it from the larger-scale geometric rugs woven in the region. Ardebil’s population shares deep cultural roots with neighbouring Azerbaijan, descending from the Kizil Bash tribes of the Turkic Ak Koyanlu horde. Many Ardebil carpets reflect these origins with bold, tribal geometry.
Yet the Fine Ardebil Persian Rug stands apart. The Ardebil Senneh Baf reveals a more Persianate sensibility: finely knotted, delicately hued, and marked by the celebrated “fishpond” design. This pattern is more than decoration—it is an existential metaphor. The field appears like a pool of water, layered with fish-like boteh motifs radiating toward the centre. According to Sufi thought, this represents layers of consciousness, drawing the seeker inward. The deeper one looks, the clearer and stronger the vision becomes, though the weave itself makes no technical change. It is art as spiritual journey.
The Fine Ardebil Persian Rug is crafted with pure woollen symmetrical knots set upon a cotton warp, with two weft shoots per row of knots. This foundation ensures both strength and precision. The wool is soft and lustrous, drawn from Persian sheep known for their high-quality fleece.
The knot density of an Ardebil Senneh Baf is high, allowing for great clarity of design. The fishpond pattern, borders, and boteh motifs are executed with remarkable finesse, each detail appearing crisp against the soft, carefully balanced background. It is a rug that rewards close study, revealing subtleties of shading and form invisible at first glance.
Traditionally, dyes used in these rugs are a mix of natural and high-quality chrome dyes. This blend gives the Fine Ardebil Persian Rug its distinctive palette—deep indigo blues, warm reds, soft ivory, and touches of sage or rose. The blue field, in particular, is a hallmark of the finest examples. It represents not only water and infinity but also creates a calming depth that highlights the intricate motifs.
Over decades, these colours mellow into harmony, their slight variations forming what collectors call abrash, a natural striation of tone that testifies to hand-dyeing. This adds life to the rug, ensuring that it never appears flat or mechanical.
The Fine Ardebil Persian Rug is not merely decorative—it is meditative. The boteh, or “seed of life,” repeats throughout the field, symbolising growth and renewal. The fishpond metaphor reminds the viewer of the inward journey of the soul. And the overall symmetry, perfected through centuries of design, reflects Persian philosophy where mathematics and art are intertwined to express divine order.
It is a rug that carries both visual beauty and existential depth. To live with one is to bring into the home not only colour and pattern but also a sense of continuity with Persia’s spiritual and artistic heritage.
The example offered here is from the mid-20th century and remains in excellent condition. Its wool pile is soft and intact, the dyes vibrant, and the structure sound. Measuring generously, it offers both practical use and artistic presence.
Collectors value the Fine Ardebil Persian Rug for its combination of rarity, refinement, and symbolic depth. It represents a weaving tradition that bridges tribal strength and Persian elegance, making it a versatile and highly desirable piece for connoisseurs.
Can I get the same rug in a different size?
Each of our rugs is an individual, hand made work of art because of that it is not possible for us to have duplicates in different sizes.
How are your rugs made?
All of our rugs are 100% Handmade on a loom. We have created a close relationship with all of the craftspeople who make our rugs which allows us to get the highest quality rugs directly from the people who made them.
Are your rugs new/used?
We offer a variety of both new and used Persian rugs from many areas including Persia, Turkey, and Morocco see below for more info on locations.
NEW: We support over 30 families in Afghanistan who produce the highest quality Persian rugs.
OLD ANTIQUE VINTAGE: We source our used rugs from village and tribal families at source. As well as attend worldwide auctions. We have formed relationships with Persian rug collectors that allow us to get incredible pieces that are not normally on the market.
Can I try before i buy?
We have a “try before you buy” system for approved customers.
Where are your rugs from?
Afghanistan, Persia, Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Morocco etc.
