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ID #SA1236978
FOR SALE
£120
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19th Century Kashmiri Papier Mache Letter Opener
For sale by Treasury Antiques
for sale €140     $152
£120
Treasury Antiques

Treasury Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Sep 2021
Browse dealers 75 items
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    Sourcing beautiful antique furniture and decorative pieces for your home
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Id #SA1236978
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19th Century Kashmiri Papier Mache Letter Opener

19th century
Description

A most beautiful and intricately painted late 19th century Kashmiri lacquered letter opener.

Painted on both sides.

Physical Dimensions
Width
32cm (12.60")
Declaration

Treasury Antiques has dated this Kashmiri Papier Mache Letter Opener to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1236978
Dealers Internal Reference
847
Dealers Notes

We are happy to answer any questions so please call us on 07969635908 or 07910111592. You will also find us on Instagram at treasuryantiques.We are open by appointment at our workshop in Wiltshire so do please call if you’d like to come and see our stock. Based near Bath, Owen and Lucia have a wide range of decorative antiques and furniture and are passionate about sourcing beautiful and interesting pieces for your home.

With many years of experience in interior decorating and in the antiques trade between them. Owen as both a dealer and conservator is a graduate of the prestigious West Dean College, and as a result Treasury Antiques takes a light approach to conservation and restores pieces only where necessary. Lucia, with many years of experience in the decorative interiors world is constantly looking for beautiful, quirky and individual pieces to add character to any home.

do please contact us with any queries you may have.

Description
A most beautiful and intricately painted late 19th century Kashmiri lacquered letter opener.

Painted on both sides.

Width
32cm (12.60")
Date of Manufacture

Treasury Antiques has dated this Kashmiri Papier Mache Letter Opener to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1236978
Dealers Internal Ref
847
Treasury Antiques
Treasury Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Sep 2021

Sourcing beautiful antique furniture and decorative pieces for your home

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Treasury Antiques Profile Page

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A 19th-century Kashmiri papier-mache letter opener featuring dense hand-painted polychrome floral decoration and gold detailing over a dark lacquered surface.
1 / 4
Archive I A 19th-century Kashmiri papier-mache letter opener featuring dense hand-painted polychrome floral decoration and gold detailing over a dark lacquered surface.

19th Century Kashmiri Papier Mache Letter Opener

Archive II A 19th-century Kashmiri papier-mache letter opener featuring dense hand-painted polychrome floral decoration and gold detailing over a dark lacquered surface. View II
Archive III A 19th-century Kashmiri papier-mache letter opener featuring dense hand-painted polychrome floral decoration and gold detailing over a dark lacquered surface. View III
Archive IV A 19th-century Kashmiri papier-mache letter opener featuring dense hand-painted polychrome floral decoration and gold detailing over a dark lacquered surface. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Treasury Antiques

Treasury Antiques
Telephone 07910 111 592
Location
Near Bath
Wiltshire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/treasuryantiques
Verified Since Sep 2021
Items For Sale 75
Items Sold 433
Treasury Antiques
Treasury Antiques
Verified Since Sep 2021
View Dealer Info
Location: Near Bath, Wiltshire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/treasuryantiques
Verified
Sep 2021
For Sale
75
Sold
433
A 19th-century Kashmiri papier-mache letter opener featuring dense hand-painted polychrome floral decoration and gold detailing over a dark lacquered surface.
19th century Kashmiri papier mache letter opener
Ref: SA1236978
A 19th-century Kashmiri papier-mache letter opener featuring dense hand-painted polychrome floral decoration and gold detailing over a dark lacquered surface.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectLetter Openers
  • Period19th century
  • StyleKashmiri
  • MaterialPapier-mache, Paint, Lacquer
  • ColourMulticoloured
  • MotifsFloral naqashi pattern, Lacquered finish, Tapered blade, Shaped handle
  • SizeW 32 cm (13 in)

This 19th-century Kashmiri letter opener originates from the late Victorian period and belongs to the gentleman's library style. Constructed from papier-mâché, the object receives a protective lacquered finish and displays a dark background colour. Dense hand-painted polychrome floral naqashi decoration covers both sides of the piece, incorporating intricate gold detailing alongside red, yellow, green and blue floral motifs. The design consists of a tapered blade and a shaped handle with a rounded end and small guard details. Surface wear includes craquelure and light rubbing to the lacquer and paintwork, consistent with age and handling. Measuring 32 cm wide, this compact desk accessory fits easily on a workspace. Positioned on an office desk or library table, the letter opener serves as a functional tool for opening correspondence while adding decorative historic character to the workspace. The intricate floral painting and warm lacquered tones complement traditional study interiors, leather-bound books and period writing desks. Collectors of nineteenth-century Anglo-Indian or Kashmiri artifacts will find this piece a practical and visually engaging addition to a desktop collection.

FAQs

Kashmiri papier-mache was introduced to India in the 15th century from Persia, developing into a celebrated regional craft in Srinagar. By the 19th century, artisans produced decorative wares, including letter openers and blotters, primarily tailored for British colonial export and European travellers.

Pieces are created using paper pulp mixed with wood ash or glue, moulded into shape, and dried. The surface is smoothed with a plaster ground, painted with intricate mineral pigments in floral or geometric designs (naqashi), and finished with clear protective lacquer.

Authentic period examples feature dense, hand-painted polychrome decoration often accented with genuine gold leaf. Look for fine craquelure in the protective varnish, slight weight inconsistencies from handmade paper pulp, and subtle wear along functional edges.

Position the item atop a stack of leather-bound books, display it flat inside a glass-topped desk drawer organizer, or pair it with vintage brass inkwells on an executive desk to introduce historic texture and colour.

Keep papier-mache away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and heat sources to prevent cracking or warping. Lightly dust the surface using a soft, dry microfibre cloth, avoiding water or chemical cleaning solutions that could compromise the lacquer.
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