A late 19th century Kashmiri Papier Mache Octaganol Occasional Table. It is decorated throughout with tightly knit polychrome floral decoration within geometric shapes. Written on the underneath of the table top is ‘Ganemede Srinagar Kashmiri No 5861’.
Kashmiri papier-mâché is a handicraft of Kashmir that was brought by Muslim saint Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani from Persia in the 14th century to Kashmir (India). It is based primarily on paper pulp, and is a richly decorated, colourful artifact; generally in the form of vases, bowls, or cups, boxes, trays, bases of lamps, and many other small objects. These are made in homes, and workshops, in Srinagar, and other parts of the Kashmir Valley.
Condition:
There is damage to the paper mache ontop of the table, missing a portion to one side and a few cracks (Shown in pictures). On the legs there is also a few small patches of missing papier mache. This is structurally sound and the base has been glued to the table top at an earlier date.