Willow Wicker
Willow wicker work in Kashmir is a relatively recent yet deeply rooted craft, emerging prominently in the late 19th and early 20th centuries under the British colonial administration, that introduced organized willow cultivation for cricket bat production. Local artisans adapted the supple willow shoots to develop a thriving craft, as a testament to the region’s ability to transform an introduced resource into a sustainable and enduring craft tradition. Initially focused on simple, utilitarian objects, the craft gradually expanded in both form and function, reflecting changing market demands.
