Every Kashmiri paper mache piece is painted in a traditional design, or art form, each with its own name and character. Knowing them makes it easier to choose a piece you love, and to recognise fine work when you see it. Here are the designs our artisans paint most often.
Hazara
Hazara means “a thousand”. It is a dense, all-over floral pattern in which small flowers cover the entire surface. Fine Hazara pieces are painted with smaller, more closely packed flowers and take longer to make; Generic Hazara uses a simpler version of the pattern.
Gul-o-Bulbul
Gul-o-Bulbul, “the rose and the nightingale”, shows birds among flowering branches, a favourite theme in Persian and Kashmiri art. Related garden designs include Bagh e Bulbul and our Birds of Paradise collection of kingfishers, hoopoes and orioles.
Chinar
The Chinar design uses the leaf of the chinar, the great plane tree that is the symbol of Kashmir. Painted in autumn reds, golds and browns, it is one of the most recognisable Kashmiri motifs.
Paisley (Badam)
The paisley, called badam (almond) in Kashmir, is the teardrop motif famous from Kashmiri shawls. On paper mache it is often filled with flowers and outlined in gold.
Islimi
Islimi is flowing, interlaced arabesque scrollwork: curling stems and leaves that repeat across the surface.
Floral garden designs
Several designs celebrate the gardens of Kashmir, each with its own arrangement of flowers: Shabe Gule Bagh, Shabe Gul e Wilayat, Gulandar Gul, Gule Wilayat and Posh e Bagh.
Mughal Darbar
Mughal Darbar pieces are painted with scenes from the Mughal court: the darbar (royal audience), processions, riders and elephants, in the style of Mughal miniature painting. See also our Mughal miniature boxes.
Embossed art
Embossed art, known locally as wutlayeth, uses raised, sculpted relief that is then painted, so the design stands out from the surface.
Real gold art
Some pieces are detailed with real 24K gold. Real gold keeps a soft, warm shine for years and does not darken the way gold-coloured paint can.
Christmas art
Our Christmas art pieces apply the same painting skills to ornaments, baubles and bells. Browse them in our Christmas decorations.
Not sure which design suits you? Browse the full collection or ask us through the chat button on any page.