A collection of decorative desk accessories and boxes of lacquered papier-mâché and wood? construction, featuring traditional hand-painted decoration. The assortment includes a multi-tiered letter rack ornately decorated with a dense ‘thousand flowers’ (hazara) floral pattern in vibrant polychrome enamels. Also included are two rectangular boxes; the largest features a hinged lid with a hand-painted figurative scene of bathers or nymphs in a classical landscape setting, bordered by elaborate gilt and floral scrollwork. The interior of this box is lined with green velvet and contains a fitted mirror and ring rolls. The second box is decorated with an active scene of figures in traditional dress within a foliate landscape. The interior of one box bears a printed paper label which reads: ‘Papier Machia and Wood Carving are Traditional Craft of Kashmir and this skillfully decorated itms is imported by oxfam under its bridges programme to assist Handicrafts Workers overseas.’ A second paper fragment found within, featuring French and Romanian text including ‘EXPOSITION D’ART’ and ‘DINANTAIS’ dated 1897, appears to be unrelated ephemera.
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