Jewellery Box

Vintage Kashmiri Lacquer Art Papier-Mâché Box with Real Gold

This vintage Kashmiri papier-mâché box is a rare example of traditional Kashmir lacquer artware, handcrafted by master artisans using techniques passed down through generations. Unlike modern papier-mâché as commonly understood in the West, Kashmiri papier-mâché is a refined, durable art form created through meticulous layering, shaping, and hand-lacquering.

The box features an elegant, sculptural form with faceted contours, entirely hand-painted with real 22-carat gold. Rather than gilding or pasting gold onto the surface, artisans prepare a liquid gold solution by dissolving 22k gold leaf, which is then carefully applied with fine brushes. This demanding technique allows the gold to become part of the painted surface itself, creating a luminous depth and warmth that cannot be replicated by foil or metallic paint.

Delicate floral motifs are painted over the gold ground and sealed beneath multiple layers of natural lacquer, giving the surface a soft sheen and long-lasting protection. The craftsmanship reflects the highest level of traditional Kashmiri decorative arts, where every detail is executed entirely by hand.

Vintage in character, this box shows gentle signs of age consistent with its history, adding authenticity and charm. It functions beautifully as a decorative storage box, keepsake container, or collector’s art object, and works equally well in contemporary interiors and classic settings.

Details:

• Origin: Kashmir, India

• Art Form: Traditional Kashmiri papier-mâché & lacquer artware

• Material: Hand-formed papier-mâché, natural lacquer

• Decoration: Hand-painted using liquefied 22-carat gold leaf

• Condition: Vintage; minor age-appropriate wear

• Use: Decorative box, jewelry box, collector’s piece

Each piece from Persian Dowry celebrates endangered craft traditions and supports the livelihoods of skilled Kashmiri artisans. This box is one of a kind, and once sold, cannot be reproduced in the same manner.