This 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 Blue Elephant:
- Width: 22 Inch (56 cms) {Approx}
- Height at trunk: 22 Inch (56 cms) {Approx}
- Height in Middle: 19 Inch (48 cms) {Approx}
Papier Mache (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-Mache 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.
