Pakistan

Textiles

The four provinces of Pakistan are extremely rich in the textile tradition. Cotton processing dates back to the sixth millennium BC, as evidenced by...

Naqaashi

Naqaashi is the ancient art of painting on buildings, woodwork, camel skin and pottery centred in the ancient city of Multan, Punjab. Originating from...

Laky ka kam (lacquer work)

Laky ka kam or Lacquer work is practiced in several parts of Pakistan, notably in Sillianwali and Chiniot in the Punjab, Dera Ismail Khan...

Kashikari (ceramic tiles)

Kashi refers to a specific style of decorative patterns on glazed vessels and tiles produced in the Muslim world. First influenced by Egyptian and...

Khairi (leather shoe making)

Once leather has been bought in a natural dark or light brown colour from Sargodha, the process of colouring and tanning begins. J Wilson,...

Guggu Ghorey

Guggu Ghorey, or “children’s horses”, can be traced back to the pagan terracotta horses of the Indus Valley and to the votive clay offerings...

Chitarkari (stone engraving)

In the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, the Gangar mountain range is composed largely of schist stone—metamorphic rock with large, flat, sheet- like...

Mitti ka kaam (unglazed terracotta)

Mitti ka kaam literally translates as “clay work” and its practitioners are commonly referred to as kumhar in Pakistan. It basically constitutes production of...