Papier Mache is a delicate decorative art, which showcases
the artistic zeal of a craftsman. Items of papier mache include
bowls, cups, containers, jewelry boxes. Letter holders, tables,
lamps, coasters, trays etc.
This unique craft involves the use of Papier pulp for creating beautiful artifacts
painted by expert craftsmen in lifelike images of kingfishers, maple leaves and
other motifs. The ingenious papier-mache artisans of Kashmir transform a variety
of utility articles into rare art pieces. The creation of a papier mache object
can be divided into two distinct categories, the sakhtsazi (making the object)
and the naqashi (painting the surface).
The colors for painting designs on the surface are obtained by grinding and soaking
various vegetable mineral dyes in pigment or stone form. The final product is
a beautiful art work that cannot be called a creation of one artist. It travels
many pairs of talented hands before reaching a table or a mantel. Above all other
talents, the aesthetic sensibility and hereditary skills are most essential in
these craftsmen.