Papier Mache Board Games – entertainment just became new age

When we hear the words board games, we immediately visualize cardboard boxes stacked one on top of another with plasticky pawn pieces and the game itself printed on the board. It’s time to move on from the mass-produced games to the exquisite, handcrafted papier-mache board games from ZainabyCtoK.

Made of saaktha or papier mache and budloo wood or west Himalayan silver fir and hand-painted by a master craftsperson  called a naqash, these board games are a sight to behold. 

Types of papier mache board games at ZainabyCtoK

Kashmiri Papier Mache Knots and crosses or Zarabzero 

This is a game we have all played, lost, figured out how to outwit our opponent, but still lost. Our skilled papier-mache artisan has given this age-old game a new take by crafting knots and crosses papier mache board games. This hand-painted board game has motifs inspired by the flowers of Kashmir – for example, irises and ashk-e-maryam. The pawns are made of budlu wood or west Himalayan silver fir. 

Kashmiri Papier Mache Memory Game

As the name suggests, this is a game to test how well your short-term memory works. A set of cards are laid down face down and each player upturns two cards at a time. If they are the same, the player takes the cards. If not, they are turned back, and the turn moves to the next player. The player who can remember the motif of each card and so win most cards is the winner. 

Except that this is no ordinary memory game. It’s made of papier-mache and has been hand-painted by a traditional naqqashi artist. Each memory game has a main motif. For example, the birds of Kashmir – every card has an intricately painted bird on it – like the paradise flycatcher or the kingfisher and so on. Other sets of Kashmiri memory games have flowers native to Kashmir – like daffodils, lotis, iris, poppies etc. 

Kashmiri Papier Mache board games at ZainabyCtoK - A collector’s item

Apart from providing hours of fun, these papier mache Kashmiri board games are works of art handcrafted by talented artisans. No detail is too small – be it the box in which the memory game is stored, or the pawns in the knots and crosses or the painted patterns on the back of the cards – each has been painstakingly painted with non-toxic paints. This makes these games a great choice for your collection of beautiful art. 

Kashmiri Papier Mache board games - the most unique gift for your loved ones

Our Papier Mache board games are quite the souvenir of Kashmir - every element reminds us of the valley. The gardens, the birds, the flowers, the niche of a shrine, the very playing of ludo and knots and crosses in public spaces by groups of people - all remind us of the quintessential Kashmir. Added to this is the fact that these board games are not only fun to play but are so exquisite to look at. All of which makes them the perfect choice for a great gift. Your loved ones will be so proud and pleased to own something so unique that these board games may well take the center stage among their most precious artefacts. 

Buy Kashmiri Papier Mache Board Games at ZainabyCtoK

It’s easy to buy one or many Kashmiri Papier Mache Board Games in just a few clicks whether you’re in India or abroad. The complete range of board games is listed on our website, and each one is made to order. 

The size of the zarabzero or knots and crosses is 7" x 7" x 4.5"

The size of the memory game is 3.5" x 3.5" x 2.5"

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