Crafting Shapes with Papier-Mâché

In the papier-mâché craft, paper is first shredded.

The shredded paper is soaked to make the pulp that is later formed into the mould on which the art work is done.

Paper, straw, cloth and copper sulphate are then ground together...

...using a traditional mortar and pestle, to bring the pulp to a finer consistency.

The process continues...

The paper pulp mixture is moulded around the basic required shape.

Glue is applied to the base of the object.

A layer of paper is used to separate the mould and the pulp.

The craftsman cuts the paper to the size needed to wrap around the mould.

The layer of paper is carefully wrapped around the object.

The pulp is fixed around the basic mould that has been wrapped with a layer of paper.

Glue is added to the paper pulp for it to hold together firmly.

The surface is smoothed until it is even, using an iron file.

The dried pulp is carefully cut into two halves to remove it from the mould, using a saw.

The dried pulp is removed from the mould.

Since an even surface is important , different sorts of indigenous tools are used to achieve the best result.

It is only when the surface is smoothed out evenly that the artwork done on it will achieve a certain fineness.

The master craftsperson shows the Insides of the box and its hard cardboard base.

The workshop areas are usually small and crowded with all the materials they need.

Once objects receive their form, the next stage - painting - of the papier-mâché craft begins. Here, a craftswoman prepares the object in her home.

A woman of the family smoothes the surface of the article further with a piece of baked clay, after applying Fuller’s earth, locally known as Multani mitti, to the surface.<jj>

A close-up of the application of Fuller's Earth.

Fuller’s earth is used for surface evenness, cleaning of stained marble surfaces and also in a face pack as a cosmetic exfoliant.

The easter egg form is being given a coat of Fuller’s earth or Multani mitti.

This process is done mostly by women who are always in the role of a helper in a craftsperson’s home.

Here a brush is used to apply the coating of Fuller’s earth. Many implements and stages have gone into the coating and smoothing of a papier-mâché object before it can be painted

A semi-finished papier machie bird awaits further treatment.

A semi-complete decorative box meant to serve nuts.

A large vase is being prepared in the mould making workshop. Such large pieces are purely for decoration since it is made of papier pulp and cannot contain water.

Small boxes, easter eggs and animal figures are made in large numbers as they are found to be the most easily saleable among tourists and for export.

The mould maker’s workshop has plenty of storage space for objects to dry.

Many homes have an open upper floor which serves as a workshop and storage space where items are left to dry.

Drying is a critical part of the papier-mâché craft, and moulded objects go through it numerous times.

Here, they dry in the master craftsperson's workshop before the next step: painting.

Read more about papier maché here:
- Painting Process
- Products