妙笔勾勒，匠心永恒 | Magic Pen, Deep Devotion

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Paper mache, or papier-mache, means “pulp” in French. Although French-sounding, this craft actually originates in China, dating back to the Han dynasty. Beginning in the 10th century, papier-mache started to move to  countries such as Spain, Germany, France, Persia, and India. Today, the Kashmir region in India especially flourishes with its beautiful papier-mache products, gaining widespread recognition.

Paper lies at the foundation of papier-mache, supplemented by a special non-toxic, non-flammable plant-based glue. Different from regular, heavier paper products, papier-mache crafts result in uniquely light but durable art pieces. 

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The traditional Kashmir paper-glazing process takes a total of 14 steps— an outstanding labor effort given modern industrial technologies.

First, craftsmen will soak waste high quality paper in water for a few days, draining excess water until it softens and decomposes, and then striking it to form pulp. These steps are physically laborious, and require patience. The beaten pulp is then added with the starch-based vegetable glue, stirred until a viscous liquid is formed, and poured into a wooden mold for shaping.

Next enters the more complicated step of the process. The craftsman must superimpose each layer of continuous pulp until creating the required shape and form. The pulp is then dried and molded to form the special papier-mache material.

The final step creates color and design. After applying initial color onto the material, the craftsman will execute pattern and color coordination. These sketches are custom designed with the craftsman’s creative touch, and polished with a layer of sandpaper.

According to our surveys, the average age group of papier-mache craftsmen in Kashmir is over fifty years old. Many craftsmen have dedicated their whole lives to pattern design. This pursuit for art seems to flow naturally and robustly in the veins of the people. One craftsman shared his thoughts: “For me, doing this is not just for career, but also out of respect for traditional culture.”

Executing color and pattern completes the final look of the papier-mache product. However, to increase the durability of the piece, it must pass an environmentally-friendly treatment process to smoothen and make firm the paint surface. Though the outside is polished and glazed, the inside maintains the hand-made traces, maintaining the original style of the pulp.  

The surface of each box displays a unique variety of patterns and stories, combining both aesthetic and function. It is at once a piece of lifestyle art, as well as a compact box for things such as jewelry and candy. 

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As in the texts, Kashmiri craftsmen seem to carry out their work with magic powers. They turn simple paper materials into unique papier-mache art pieces, passing down these one-of-a-kind aesthetic instincts from generation to generation. It certainly creates special bonds running through familial heritage.

To this day, these craftsmen live in the edges of the Himalayas, preserving and sharing the rich history of their intricate craftsmanship. Through their  products, we feel the warmth of their history and people through every touch.