Nepali Lokta Block Print Paper: Enameled Lotus Leaf Shaped Bowl, 12" Diameter

This is one of our favorite pieces! We believe this was made of papier mache but it could made from very thin wood with handmade Nepali Lokta paper smoothed over it and enameled. As an accent piece, it is eye-catching with its sloped shape. 
 
We are not sure if this is a piece created in Nepal or elsewhere. Given that it is in excellent condition, we suspect it may have been made by an American artist inspired by the lokta paper, possibly a friend of our mother who had an exquisite selection of lokta paper for art projects.
 
Lotka paper is handmade and sustainable, sourced from the bark of the Daphne Cannabina or Daphne Papyracea bush (lokta) without harming the roots. The bush is found at high altitudes in the Himalayas, its bark boiled and pulped in villages, the pulp then spread on wood screened frames held in ponds and shaken to even out the pulp. The frames are then removed from water and left in the sun to dry, the resulting paper then peeled off. 
 
Patterns are created using hand-carved wooden blocks or stamps
Due to the process of the paper making and printing, each sheet will have natural imperfections. In the bowl of this piece you will see remnants of wood chips. There is some plant fiber attached to the pedestal base. It is, as one person online describes lotka paper, ‘perfectly imperfect.’
 
Approx H 5” x D 12”
8.61 oz (244g) 
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.