KASHMIRI ART- PASHMINA-CASHMERE
Casa de Kashmir is the family business operating since 1920s in Srinagar; the Capital of Kashmir Valley. We work with the Artisans of Kashmir to produce high quality needlework shawls, Carpets, and Jewelry for international Market.
The foundation works with the artisans and the associated to ensure the preservation of cultural, heritage and craft by bringing the Kashmiri Art to the international market using well-known techniques and technologies. While working with the artisans in production it is ensured that traditional tools and technique are applied.
Casa de Kashmir not only deals with Kashmiri handicrafts but also organize Tour and travel across Kashmir valley and Ladakh region with professional Guides who have deep knowledge about Culture and heritage. we believe in developing strong relationship with our customers with Memorable excitement, based on spirit of implicit trust, excellence of our services, the joy of sports and luxury of sightseeing to give you a great experience.
HISTORY OF PASHMINA SHAWLS
Pashmina Shawls is among the most renowned crafts of Kashmir. The craft represents a rich tradition of craftsmanship that dates back to the reign of Zainul Abidin Budshah (1420-1470 A.D) originally pashmina is a kind of wool extracted from pashmina goats found in himaliyan regions of Kashmir valley. Only 2grams of wool is extracted from goat that is one factor why it is so expensive. Pashmina has the property of thermo conductivity that is if it is too cold temperature outside it is not allowing body temperature to fall down. The thickness of this fiber is 1.75 microns that is thicker than human hair. The fine wool extracted from pashmina goat is then put in looms where workers make pashmina shawls or stoles (smaller size) after that printed design is done on these shawls so that workers can do stitching which takes months or even one year that depends upon the printed design .Workers use fine threads to do stitching and that adds more beauty to shawls. When workers are done with stitching then it is given to washing men they wash it cleanly so that no mark is left and final touch is given by steam ironing .Now a days pashmina is available in market in so many designs and people can use them in parties, functions and big occasions.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CASHMERE:
Cashmere shawls have been manufactured in Nepal and Kashmir for thousands of years. The test for a quality pashmina is warmth and feel. Pashmina and Cashmere are derived from mountain goats. One distinct difference between Pashmina and Cashmere is the fiber diameter. Pashmina fibers are finer and thinner than cashmere fiber, therefore, it is ideal for making light weight apparel like fine scarves. Today, however, the word PASHMINA has been used too liberally and many scarves made from natural or synthetic fiber are sold as Pashmina creating confusion in the market. There we find very cold temperatures, and the climate is very supportive to the pashmina producing types of goat. To survive the freezing environment at 14,000 feet altitude, it grows a unique, incredibly soft pashm (inner coat) six times finer than human hair. Because it is only 14-19 microns in diameter, it cannot be spun by machines, so the wool is hand-woven into cashmere products including shawls, scarves, wraps, throws, stoles etc. for export worldwide.Pashmina is the name given to it as Iranians came to Kashmir via the routes of Drass Ladakh, and found it very soft and tough in quality.
Pashmina is the Persian word "pashm" meaning wool, so we can compare the Ladakhi pashmina with original Nepali pashmina. Kashmir pashmina has been famous for centuries due to its quality and products like plain pashmina, woven jamawars, embroidered pashmina.
Pashmina accessories are available in a range of sizes, from "scarf" 12 in × 60 in (0.30 m × 1.5 m) to "wrap" or "stole" 28 in × 80 in (0.71 m × 2.0 m) to full sized shawl 36 in × 80 in (0.91 m × 2.0 m) and in rare cases.
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Pashmina Care
A mild detergent is suitable as a cleaning substance for wool products. After hand washing, gently knead pashmina shawls to expel the moisture from the fibres. Dry pashmina shawls by lying them flat on a clothes rack; hanging them would cause the fabric to demage.
SHAHTOOSH:
(also written shahtush, a Persian word meaning "king of fine wools") is the name given to a specific kind of shawl, which is woven with the down hair of the Tibetan antelope (chiru), by the weavers of Kashmir.
These shawls were originally very few and it took very skilled artisans to weave the delicate hair (which measured between 9 and 11 micrometres). These factors made shahtoosh shawls very precious. Shahtoosh are so fine that an average size shawl can be passed through a wedding ring, leading to them also being known as "Ring Shawls".
The chiru antelope live in one of the harshest environments on earth, at an altitude of over 5,000 metres. Their special type of down fur, which is both very light and warm, allows them to survive in the freezing conditions of the plateau where they gather at one point of the year. They are migratory animals - moving down from Mongolia to Tibet - and traditionally followed closely by thenomads, who also make that journey every year. The nomads would hunt the antelope for all that it provided them - hide, meat, bones, horns and fur pelts - in short, everything that the nomads needed to sustain them through their journey. The numbers continue to drop yearly. This led to the antelope now being listed as an endangered species and given the highest possible level of legal protection, whereby no commercial trade in shahtoosh is permitted.This is now ban allover the world.
In short we are supporting the community, families and artisans as well as ensuring the preservation of culture, heritage and craft by inspiring, educating and connecting people through well designed fashion and home wares.
PASHMINA THROUGH CENTURIES
The word pashmina comes from the Persian word "pashmînah" which means woolen from the "pashm", the Changra goat's down.
The Kashmir Valley population was famous for weaving shawls. The wool came from the winter fleece of goats in Central Asia and the Himalayas, who lived more than 4500 meters above sea level.
Since antiquity cashmere wool is one of the biggest luxury goods transported by road to the Roman Empire. This industry soared in the 16th century during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar which gave him the status of royal patronage, favoring a highly qualitative development.
Mostly worn by men, pashmina shawls where once a privilege and only worn by kings.
In the 18th century Kashmir exported shawls to Europe, first in England and then in France after the Napoleonic campaigns.
Being a great partner, Empress Josephine then started to campaign for the fashionable Kashmir shawl, which then saw an undeniably huge craze throughout the century. Being very expensive, it was a symbol of social distinction and a centerpiece of bridal outfits. It was heavy and richly embroidered.
Forgotten during the 20th century, Pashmina experienced a newfound surge in popularity in the 90s with the new launch of the fashionable garment by Hollywood stars...
Historically this "diamond" wool is synonymous with luxury.