Paper-Mache Masks from India

Paper Mache originated in China. Hundreds of years ago the Chinese made projects from it which they hardened with layers of lacquer. Paper Mache is great craft for all ages. Paper Mache is a great recycle craft. Paper-Mache masks use waste paper pulp as the basic raw material, sometimes combined with starch. The paper pulp is then given various forms and shapes, limited only by the imagination of the artist. A wooden mould, which applies pressure on the pulp shapes the pulp to form beautiful art items. Artists typically use this form of sculpture to form various figures and masks of men, women and Gods and Goddesses. Indian Paper-mache masks using wooden moulds give a very fine finish as compared to the tribal form of paper-mache sculpting which uses no moulds and hence are rough in finish.