Finely hand-painted small papier mache trinket or jewellery box, with lid and blue painted interior. Decorated in the paisley pattern
Kashmir, circa 1950
Papier Mache has a long and rich tradition in Kashmir, being a delicate decorative art with two main steps in the creative process. The first is the sakhtsazi, or the making of the box. This involves collecting waste paper which is then soaked in water for several days until it disintegrates. It is then mixed with bonding agents to form a pulp, placed in a mould and left to dry. Once dry the shape is cut away and coated with a layer of glue and gypsum, rubbed smooth and pasted with layers of tissue paper.
The second stage is the naqashi, when the item is painted free hand by an artist. Once the design is complete the final step is adding a layer of varnish to give protection and its characteristic shine.
Paisley was a style with Persian origins that was brought to India in the 15th Century with the Mughal Empire. Also known as 'Welsh Pears'