Bowl

Late 19th–early 20th century Origin: Kashmir Material: Paper pulp, pigments, lacquer This large Kashmiri papier-mâché bowl reflects the dense floral vocabulary characteristic of Kashmiri decorative painting. Its surface is filled with closely interwoven roses, carnations, foliage and curling stems against a deep dark ground, with gold accents adding depth and movement to the composition. Its form and substantial scale are particularly notable, echoing the traditional copper bowls used for eating in Kashmiri households, a form less commonly encountered in papier-mâché. The low foot raises the painted body slightly, allowing the floral decoration to unfold as a continuous panorama. Although much of the original surface has been worn through age and use, the surviving layers of colour, gilding and dense floral painting retain something of the bowl's original richness. Private collection - Trām and Beyond

Not for Sale