3 Papier-Mâché Treasures, A Craft That Kashmir Won’t Let Fade

Kashmir is a land that has inspired not just bards and wanderers but also artisans who meticulously transfer the valley’s beauty into enduring works of art. Here, craft is not merely a vocation, it is a living tradition carefully passed down through generations. Among Kashmir’s many time-honoured crafts, papier-mâché stands out—a tradition of Persian origin that arrived in the 14th century and was reimagined with remarkable local artistry. Introduced by Sufi saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, Kashmir’s papier-mâché began as ‘Kar-i-Qalamdan’—a Persian craft blending Islamic design with natural materials. By the 19th century, colonial trade reshaped it, giving it a French name and Western motifs as painted boxes gained popularity in Europe.

Though often mistaken today as a DIY endeavour, the creation of papier-mâché artefacts demands a rigorous process. It is divided into two steps—Sakhtsazi, where soaked paper pulp is moulded using natural adhesives and sun-dried, and Naqashi, where intricate Kashmiri motifs are meticulously painted on its surface. We spotlight three remarkable papier-mâché creations by Kashmiri craftsmen residing in Srinagar. Their craft is upheld by contemporary Indian platforms like MeMeraki, Zaina by CtoK, and The India Craft House, who help amplify the voices of these craftsmen, bringing global visibility to this intricate craft. 

Also read: God Lies In The Details’: Studio Kilab’s Pursuit Of Meaningful Design In Kashmir

1. Kashmir Papier-Mâché Box – MeMeraki

Kashmiri papier-mâché frequently features recurring flora and nature-inspired designs. One living archive of the craft is Master Artist Riyaz Khan’s papier-mâché box. Adorned with stylised depictions of flora, including the Chinar Tree, Elm Tree, Eastern Nettle Tree, and the Himalayan Poplar or Gul-i-wilayat, each motif is rendered with remarkable detailing. Papier-mâché boxes like this one take about three people, where one artisan is involved in the whole creation process of the art piece, followed by one artisan in the smoothing, and lastly, followed by an artisan working diligently on its ‘Naqashi’ or design. The piece comes to life after six to eight days of labour. The heirloom-quality artefact is sustainable and suitable for personal upkeep or meaningful gifting.

Also read: Where Kashmir’s Rich Architectural Design Meets Grandeur – The Khyber Himalayan Resort And Spa

2. Kashmiri Art Utility Box Aarasta – The India Craft House

An objets d’art that holds a tumultuous colonial past through its colours, motifs and design. Master Artist Niyaz Ahmad’s richly adorned papier-mâché box is inspired by Kaleen: Kashmir’s iconic hand-knotted carpets. The design is a medley of densely detailed motifs like floral vines, paisleys, chinar leaves, and medallion forms, elegantly reimagined on a miniature scale. It is painstakingly detailed using ultra-fine squirrel hair brushes, resulting in ornate, symmetrical patterns imbuing Kashmir’s rich heritage. The box is sealed with multiple layers of lacquer, giving it a lasting sheen—perfect for storing jewellery, heirlooms or cherished trinkets.

3.Sotsal Papier-Mâché Wall Plate – Zaina by CtoK

The Sotsal Papier-Mâché Wall Plate, crafted by Master Artist Iqbal Hussain from the Nowshera cluster in Srinagar, is a radiant ode to Kashmir’s seasonal renaissance. The plate’s deep red background comes to life with hand-painted blossoms and delicate butterflies, capturing the moment when Kashmir awakens from its long, chilly winter and nature unfurls in full bloom. While the core of this 12-inch plate is paper pulp, a wooden base reinforces the structure, providing more strength and durability. Lightweight and easy to mount, this exquisite piece brings in the majesty and beauty of the Kashmir valley to interior settings.

While Sakhtsazi forms the body of an object, Naqashi breathes life into its soul. Each piece, whether the bespoke wall plate or the decorative boxes, carries the ineffable mark of its maker. Drawn from nature and folklore, the revered craft is a celebration of Kashmir’s identity, history and heritage. Today, despite its widespread adaptation in schools and workshops, authentic Kashmiri papier-mâché remains a collective art form.