Vintage 1970s Kashmiri Papier Mâché Floral Trinket Box Black Pink and Gold

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Vintage Kashmiri papier-mâché trinket box hand painted with an intricate floral composition on a dramatic jet-black lacquer ground. Dense pink … Read more Vintage Kashmiri papier-mâché trinket box hand painted with an intricate floral composition on a dramatic jet-black lacquer ground. Dense pink and coral-red blossoms, delicate leaves, sweeping vines, and fine gilt outlining cover the lid and sides, creating the richly ornamental surface characteristic of traditional Kashmiri papier-mâché.

The floral decoration incorporates the classic Hazara, or “thousand flowers,” and Gul-andar-Gul, or flower-within-flower, design traditions, with a geometric pink and gilt border framing the lid. The glossy lacquered surface gives the painted decoration depth and contrast, while the compact oval form makes the box especially suited to jewelry, rings, keepsakes, or other small personal treasures.

Kashmiri papier-mâché is a traditional decorative craft with Persianate roots and a long history in the Kashmir Valley. The combination of hand-painted botanical ornament, black lacquer, and gilt detailing makes this a particularly decorative example of mid-20th-century Indian folk art. See less