Paper Mache - The history behind it
Paper mache is a conglomerate of material that includes papers which are mixed with special textiles and water and are stuck together either using glue, starch or tape adhesives for wallpaper. When the paste is about dry, the object that is being crafted will start to become solidified. You can make paper mache at home! Find more information on this page.
There was a form of paper mache that existed in China for many hundreds of years until a stronger version, which included glue, was developed and patented by Henry Clay in 1702. Henry Clay was from Birmingham, England. This became a very common way to make dolls during the 19th century. This of course was before plastic was available for use. Piñatas are a popular example of things that are still made today with paper mache. It is also used as crafts for working with children.
Since the 18th century, paper mache was widely used, especially in Russian culture. There have been many large and amazing objects created such as wall plaques, trays, boxes, desk sets, salt cellars, storage jars for tobacco and tea, bead cases, album covers, bracelets and brooches. More than one coat of black lacquer is used and applied to each article that is made and they are then given to the person who will be decorating them. There have been scenes that were highly complex and very fine in detail which they would paint onto even the smallest of objects. Russian lacquer art on paper mache has done very well for over two hundred years and has easily survived the transition from folk art to fine art.
Paper mache can surprisingly build strong structures. In America, a popular item that was made in the 1800’s was the canoe (made of course from papier). A continuous sheet papers machine was invented and because it allowed papers to be made at any length, it made the perfect material to build a seamless boat bull. Papers that were used at the time were stretchier than what they are today and when it was damp, it had a great effect on manufacturing the boats made from papers. The paper mache canoes were made by using a thick layer of dampened papers which were placed over a hull mold and held down on the edges by tacks. Add a layer of glue and after drying, it was sanded down. Additional papers and glue were applied to the desired thickness. The final product was trimmed and reinforced with wooden strips to provide stiffness.
One of the most popular boats made from paper mache was the canoe “The Maria Theresa” which was used by Nathaniel Holmes Bishop when he traveled from NY to Florida in 1875.