These decorative hand painted Papier Machie boxes are crafted by hand by the finest artisans of Kashmir. Unlike regular Papier Machie articles which are just painted over, in these boxes each figure or item is chiseled out using sharp tools by hand giving shape and form. All figures come alive giving 3d or embossed look to the who scene. Then the whole scene is painted over using lively colors.

Dimensions: 10′ x 7′ (25.4cms x 17.7cms)

This Papier or Paper Mache box is the finest and highest form of Papier Mache art, which is very rarely done nowadays. Only the finest Papier Mache artisans indulge in creating such intricate art as it needs absolute dedication, skill, finesse and above all lot of time to complete such ornate object.

It’s hard to believe that these pieces begin as molded paper pulp. While the basic shape comes from a mold, the last layer before painting is freshly applied, and sculpted (or embosses) by hand. After passing through the hands of several artisans and craftsmen, each specializing in a specific layer of process, an object of exquisite beauty comes to life. These artisans have inherited the essential skills and aesthetic intelligence that it takes to fashion this art.

Papier Maché (Paper Mache) is a delicate decorative art which shows the artistic zeal of a craftsman. The embossed paper mache decorative art has simply transformed the traditional craft and taken it to new glory. In embossed paper mache after the form of an object is created by using regular paper mache process. Instead of directly starting the hand painting process, the artisans have to first emboss painting like courtroom or royal court scenes by carving each figure and objects by chiseling using fine traditional tools by hand. The fine carving gives life like form to each object and recreates the courtroom drama in 3d. Various story like scenes are created through out body of the elephant. You can best view these scenes by enlarging the pictures (Click on the top left icon on the images to view full scale images).   This art was introduced in Kashmir in the 15th Century by a Kashmiri Prince who spent years in prison at Samarkand in Central Asia. The art born in the land of Persia was highly favored by Mughal Emperors of 15th and 16th Century.

These decorative hand painted Papier Machie boxes are crafted by hand by the finest artisans of Kashmir.This Khayyám collectible decorative box is tribute to mystic tribal people who live a nomadic life in deserts of Arabia. They develop a relation with the open skies and starry nights and live a life of modest means but full of content.

Beautifully crafted and expertly hand painted by the finest artisan, this decorative box would made an exceptional present. Lively colors are used in this gift box to create imagery of fantasy, heaven and divine.

Dimensions: 6′ x 9′(15.24 cms x 22.86 cms) 

This ivory embossed Papier or Paper Mache elephant is the finest and highest form of Papier Mache art, which is very rarely done nowadays. Only the finest Papier Mache artisans indulge in creating such intricate art as it needs absolute dedication, skill, finesse and above all lot of time to complete such ornate object.

It’s hard to believe that these pieces begin as molded paper pulp. While the basic shape comes from a mold, the last layer before painting is freshly applied, and sculpted (or embosses) by hand. After passing through the hands of several artisans and craftsmen, each specializing in a specific layer of process, an object of exquisite beauty comes to life. These artisans have inherited the essential skills and aesthetic intelligence that it takes to fashion this art.

Details of the Embossed Ivory Blue Elephant:

Width

Height 

13 Inch (33 cms) {Approx}

13 Inch (33 cms) {Approx}

Papier Maché (Paper Mache) is a delicate decorative art which shows the artistic zeal of a craftsman. The embossed paper mache decorative art has simply transformed the traditional craft and taken it to new glory. In embossed paper mache after the form of an object is created by using regular paper mache process. Instead of directly starting the hand painting process, the artisans have to first emboss painting like courtroom or royal court scenes by carving each figure and objects by chiseling using fine traditional tools by hand. The fine carving gives life like form to each object and recreates the courtroom drama in 3d. Various story like scenes are created through out body of the elephant. You can best view these scenes by enlarging the pictures (Click on the top left icon on the images to view full scale images).   This art was introduced in Kashmir in the 15th Century by a Kashmiri Prince who spent years in prison at Samarkand in Central Asia. The art born in the land of Persia was highly favored by Mughal Emperors of 15th and 16th Century.

This unique craft involves the use of Paper pulp for creating beautiful artifacts painted by expert craftsmen in lifelike images of Kingfishers, maple leaves and other motifs. The traditional Kashmiri method of making Papier Maché starts with waste paper which is soaked in water for several days until it disintegrates. The excess water is drained and the soaked waste paper, cloth, rice straw and copper sulphate are mixed to form a pulp. This mixture is placed in a mould and left to dry for two to three more days. On the drying of pulp, the shape is cut away from the mould in two halves and then glued. The surface is coated with the layer of glue and gypsum, rubbed smooth with a stone or baked piece of clay and pasted with layers of tissue paper. A base color is painted on, and a design is added free hand. The object is then sand Papered or burnished and is finally painted with several coats of lacquer. The ingenious Papier Maché artisans of Kashmir transform a variety of utility articles into rare art pieces. The creation of a Papier-Maché 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.

Papier Maché, today, has become highly stylized and appealing by using real gold and silver paint and by adding intricate decorations. The designs and decorations of the Kashmiri Papier Maché, usually in the form of flowers and birds, have a strong Persian flavor. Among other rich designs is ‘Arabesque’, done in gold against a brown or red ground to show sprays of rose blossoms in fine lines and ‘Armand’, an elaborate design built up in spirals with gold rosettes radiating from various centers and white flowers laid over gold scroll work. Some items like bowls and vases are lined with brass, while on special orders boxes and other items are ornamented with gold and silver leaves and depict beautiful landscapes or Tree of Life patterns and objects like a house boat, that form an inseparable part of Kashmiri lifestyle.

The Papier Maché objects produced inKashmir today varies from Christmas ornaments to coasters and includes boxes of every imaginable size and shape. These objects are not only beautifully decorated, but are surprisingly light and strong. Their coating of lacquer protects them from water and gives them extra durability.

This ivory embossed Papier or Paper Mache elephant is the finest and highest form of Papier Mache art, which is very rarely done nowadays. Only the finest Papier Mache artisans indulge in creating such intricate art as it needs absolute dedication, skill, finesse and above all lot of time to complete such ornate object.

It’s hard to believe that these pieces begin as molded paper pulp. While the basic shape comes from a mold, the last layer before painting is freshly applied, and sculpted (or embosses) by hand. After passing through the hands of several artisans and craftsmen, each specializing in a specific layer of process, an object of exquisite beauty comes to life. These artisans have inherited the essential skills and aesthetic intelligence that it takes to fashion this art.

Details of the Embossed Ivory Elephant:

Width

Height at Trunk

Height in Middle

22 Inch (56 cms) {Approx}

22 Inch (56 cms) {Approx}

19 Inch (48 cms) {Approx}

Papier Maché (Paper Mache) is a delicate decorative art which shows the artistic zeal of a craftsman. The embossed paper mache decorative art has simply transformed the traditional craft and taken it to new glory. In embossed paper mache after the form of an object is created by using regular paper mache process. Instead of directly starting the hand painting process, the artisans have to first emboss painting like courtroom or royal court scenes by carving each figure and objects by chiseling using fine traditional tools by hand. The fine carving gives life like form to each object and recreates the courtroom drama in 3d. Various story like scenes are created through out body of the elephant. You can best view these scenes by enlarging the pictures (Click on the top left icon on the images to view full scale images).   This art was introduced in Kashmir in the 15th Century by a Kashmiri Prince who spent years in prison at Samarkand in Central Asia. The art born in the land of Persia was highly favored by Mughal Emperors of 15th and 16th Century.

This unique craft involves the use of Paper pulp for creating beautiful artifacts painted by expert craftsmen in lifelike images of Kingfishers, maple leaves and other motifs. The traditional Kashmiri method of making Papier Maché starts with waste paper which is soaked in water for several days until it disintegrates. The excess water is drained and the soaked waste paper, cloth, rice straw and copper sulphate are mixed to form a pulp. This mixture is placed in a mould and left to dry for two to three more days. On the drying of pulp, the shape is cut away from the mould in two halves and then glued. The surface is coated with the layer of glue and gypsum, rubbed smooth with a stone or baked piece of clay and pasted with layers of tissue paper. A base color is painted on, and a design is added free hand. The object is then sand Papered or burnished and is finally painted with several coats of lacquer. The ingenious Papier Maché artisans of Kashmir transform a variety of utility articles into rare art pieces. The creation of a Papier-Maché 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.

Papier Maché, today, has become highly stylized and appealing by using real gold and silver paint and by adding intricate decorations. The designs and decorations of the Kashmiri Papier Maché, usually in the form of flowers and birds, have a strong Persian flavor. Among other rich designs is ‘Arabesque’, done in gold against a brown or red ground to show sprays of rose blossoms in fine lines and ‘Armand’, an elaborate design built up in spirals with gold rosettes radiating from various centers and white flowers laid over gold scroll work. Some items like bowls and vases are lined with brass, while on special orders boxes and other items are ornamented with gold and silver leaves and depict beautiful landscapes or Tree of Life patterns and objects like a house boat, that form an inseparable part of Kashmiri lifestyle.

The Papier Maché objects produced inKashmir today varies from Christmas ornaments to coasters and includes boxes of every imaginable size and shape. These objects are not only beautifully decorated, but are surprisingly light and strong. Their coating of lacquer protects them from water and gives them extra durability.

These decorative hand painted Papier Machie boxes are crafted by hand by the finest artisans of Kashmir.The Omar Khayyám collectible decorative box is tribute to the one of the greatest persian polymath, philosopher, mathematician, astronomer and poet.He also wrote treatises on mechanics,geography, mineralogy, music, and Islamic theologymughal emperors.This decorative box is inspired from the famous rubaiyat (quatrains) of the legend:

“Drink wine. This is life eternal. This is all that youth will give you. It is the season for wine, roses and drunken friends. Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”

Dimensions: 6′ x 9′(15.24 cms x 22.86 cms) 

These decorative hand painted Papier Machie boxes are crafted by hand by the finest artisans of Kashmir. The Shah Jahan collectibe box is tribute to the one of the greatest mughal emperors.In this gift box Shah Jahan is shown to be seated on The Peacock Throne (Takht-e Tavus), which is a famous golden throne that was originally built for the him in the early 17th century. The throne was subsequently captured and taken as a war trophy by the Persian ruler Nader Shahin 1739. The throne is now believed to be lost.This unique collectible box is expertly crafted and beautiful grey hues and tones are used to create a one of a kind gift box. This collectible box would make a memorable present for someone who appreciates arts and crafts and loves rich Indian history.

Dimensions: 6′ x 9′(15.24 cms x 22.86 cms)