Lacquer miniature on a dish
Papier-mache and lacquer painting flourished in Samarkand in the early 15th century. Surviving ornamental medallions made of papier-mache can still be associated with the interiors of Gur-e Amir and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. One remarkable example is the restored golden-blue dome inside the main chamber of Gur-e Amir, assembled from 998 papier-mache elements, including 112 original pieces that guided the restoration.
Some researchers believe that this art traveled from Samarkand to northern India in the 15th century, where it developed further and remains alive today. In Uzbekistan, the craft was used for refined everyday and ceremonial objects: pen cases, luxury book bindings, chess sets, caskets, small boxes, vases, and other decorative pieces.
Lacquer miniatures are valued for their fine brushwork and compact ornamental compositions. Floral patterns were often combined with elegant epigraphic details. Paint was applied over a ground made from gold or bronze powder, gold leaf, and natural glues from apricot and cherry. The recipes for lacquer and pigments were complex, and the finish gave even small objects a jewel-like depth.
For travelers, lacquer miniature is a good craft to look for in museum collections and specialist workshops. It rewards slow viewing: the closer you look, the more rhythm, color, and detail appears.