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Handicrafts · Jammu & Kashmir

Kashmir Paper Mache

GI Registered Jammu & Kashmir Handicrafts
GI numberGI-40
Typical price₹200 - ₹15,000
Verified cooperativesKashmir Paper Mache Cooperative Society
StateJammu & Kashmir

About Kashmir Paper Mache

Kashmir Paper Mache is a decorative craft in which pulped paper is moulded into objects and then painted and lacquered by hand. Typical products are boxes, vases, bowls, jewellery cases, Christmas ornaments and trays. The surfaces are decorated with floral and Persian-inspired patterns in bright colours and gold, and the finished items are surprisingly light and durable.

Heritage and place

The craft is generally said to have arrived from Persia and Central Asia and become a Kashmiri speciality over the following centuries. Artisans are usually divided into those who shape the pieces (sakhtsazi) and those who paint them (naqashi), and the skilled painters are treated as masters. The GI protects this two-stage craft from cheap machine-made lacquered items.

How it is made

Paper is soaked and pounded into pulp, sometimes mixed with rice straw, cloth and glue. The pulp is pressed into moulds or over forms, dried and smoothed, then coated with a base layer. Painters apply fine designs with small brushes, often using natural pigments and gold leaf, and finish with several coats of lacquer to give a glossy, water-resistant surface. Elaborate pieces take weeks.

Registry record

Kashmir Paper Mache is listed in this catalogue as GI-40, a Geographical Indication tagged product of Jammu & Kashmir in the handicrafts category. The name is legally protected: only producers within the notified region may sell under it. Confirm the entry in the official GI Journal before relying on it commercially.

◈ How to spot a fake Kashmir Paper Mache

What to check

Examine the painting: hand-painted designs show tiny variations and clean, fine lines, while printed decals look flat and repetitive. Genuine pieces feel light, with a smooth, even lacquer and no cracks at the joins. Ask the seller who painted the piece and how many coats of lacquer were used. Buy from Srinagar artisans, cooperatives and government emporia, and keep items away from heat and heavy moisture.

  • Constructed using paper pulp layers mashed smoothly and hand-painted with fine squirrel-hair brushes. Fakes use cardboard or plastic bases.

Price to expect

Genuine Kashmir Paper Mache typically sells in the range of ₹200 - ₹15,000. Prices far below that range are a common sign of an imitation.

Where to buy

Look for authorised sellers such as Kashmir Paper Mache Cooperative Society, or government emporia and cooperatives in Jammu & Kashmir.

Catalogue record

Catalogue record: GI-40 · Jammu & Kashmir · reviewed

Frequently asked questions

What is the GI registration number of Kashmir Paper Mache?

This catalogue lists Kashmir Paper Mache as GI-40. Registration numbers should be confirmed against the official GI Journal before commercial use.

Where is Kashmir Paper Mache made?

Kashmir Paper Mache is produced in Jammu & Kashmir, in the handicrafts category of this catalogue.

Can Kashmir Paper Mache legally be made outside Jammu & Kashmir?

No. GI protection means only producers within the notified region of Jammu & Kashmir may legally sell goods under the name “Kashmir Paper Mache”.

What does genuine Kashmir Paper Mache cost?

Genuine Kashmir Paper Mache typically sells in the range of ₹200 - ₹15,000. Prices far below this range are a common sign of an imitation.

How can I spot a fake Kashmir Paper Mache?

Constructed using paper pulp layers mashed smoothly and hand-painted with fine squirrel-hair brushes. Fakes use cardboard or plastic bases.

Where should I buy genuine Kashmir Paper Mache?

Look for authorised sellers such as Kashmir Paper Mache Cooperative Society, or government emporia and cooperatives in Jammu & Kashmir.