Extraordinary Handpainted Christmas Ornaments

Extraordinary Handpainted Christmas Ornaments introduces a unique handcrafted ornament created by artisans of the legendary Kashmir in India. These Christmas ornaments are made using the design processes-Sakhtsazi (making the object) and the Naqashi (painting the surface). This application requires a great deal of skill and accuracy. This intricate and detailed process is what makes these handpainted christmas ornaments truly extraordinary. I love looking at the handicrafts and artwork of other nations and find these miniature pieces of art to be equisite and shimmery, tiny delights. 

For the craftsmen of Kashmir, papier-mâché has become a sophisticated art. A base shape is used to form the mold using pulp of paper, cloth, rice straw and copper sulphate pulp. The form is then coated with gypsum and glue, followed by thin tissue paper. Drawing from memory the patterns and motifs are painted free hand.The chosen design is first outlined in a light color and the spaces outlining the flower or the other forms which are to be filled with color are initially painted white. After this, flower, birds and other motifs are painted. The colors for painting designs on the surface are obtained by grinding and soaking various vegetable mineral dyes in pigment or stone form. On drying they are rubbed, smoothed and burnished,and finally painted with several coats of a varnish made of linseed oil and pine resin. I find the detailed process of these ornaments amazing.

The final product is a fascinating minature piece of art. These handpainted christmas ornaments are not the creation of one artist, but many. The ornament will have traveled through many pairs of talented hands on completion. You may gasp a bit at the price. I admit I did. But when you understand the detailed process behind each and every ornament the cost is reasonable.