Paper Mache in Mongolia

Paper mache is a form of traditional handcraft and is made by gluing paper strips on top of a mold. Two main methods are used to prepare papier-mâché. The first method makes use of paper strips glued together with adhesive, and the other uses paper pulp obtained by soaking or boiling paper to which glue is then added.

In Mongolia, the biggest example of Paper Mache is Buddha image and Buddhist tsam dance masks which are kept in monasteries and museums.
Tsam mask and some Buddha images are made using papier-mâché by casting layers of paper and textile in clay model. After drying the paper mask, the meticulous work to polish and finalize the image and mask begins, after which the art is painted and decorated.