A Persian rug that once belonged to a U.S. senator fetched a record price of almost $33.8 million at auction on June 5, the Washington Post reported.

The 17th century rug, which once belonged to the late Sen. William Clark of Montana, who died in 1925, was auctioned by Sotheby's and shattered the previous top rug auction price ($9.5 million for a 17th century Persian Kirman rug).

The red Sickle Leaf rug with a blue border, which features dancing vines and vibrant flowers, was put up for auction by Washington's Corcoran Gallery of Art. The gallery received the rug when Clark died in 1925.

The winning bidder, whose identity has not been disclosed, participated in the auction via telephone.