Papier-mâché box

India, Kashmir, c. 1875

Width: 8 inches 20 cm
Height: 4 1/2  inches, 11,5 cm

A papier-mâché box of globular form with a lid. The lid is domed and has a central flattened top; the rounded sides end in a flat rim. The outside is richly painted in fine detail with a design of naturalistic flowers and leaves, using rich colours and outlined in gold. The central scene on the lid has a border that is decorated with an abstract pattern in gold paint. The painted surface is covered in a layer of clear lacquer. The interior is decorated in a solid dark blue, almost black colour.

The area of Kashmir and particularly its capital Srinagar were well known in the 19th century for the manufacture of high quality lacquered papier-mâché work. Made both for domestic use and for export, a wide range of objects such as candlesticks, pen-cases, boxes and flasks were produced. The tradition of papier-mâché was popular in Persia and probably originates in China. Several examples of Persian papier-mâché can be found in the Khalili collection, London.1 The shape of the present box was almost certainly influenced by Tibetan pieces.

1. Khalili, N.D., Robinson, B.W. and Stanley, T.; Lacquer of the Islamic Lands, the Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, London, 1996