Silk Paper

The history of Samarqand paper production dates back to VIII century. Samarqand became the first city in Central Asia and the second one in the world after Chinese cities to manufacture its own qualitative silk paper. The Samarqand paper used to be exported to European countries by the caravan roads till the middle of XIX century. Samarkand paper takes special place in history of development of diplomatic and economic relations between people of Asia and Europe.  Thanks to import of such paper from Samarkand, the West got an opportunity to negotiate with external world.

Milestones of the history, scientific discoveries and progress and painting were recorded on Samarkand silk paper. Thanks to the unique quality of Samarkand paper, people could save scientific works of our outstanding compatriots: Abu Raykhan Beruniy, Ibn Sino, Al Fargani, Al Khorezmi and many others.

Masters of the “Meros” Craftsmen Association revived the art of Samarkand hand paper production and again introduced it to the world quite recently - in the end of XX century.

With the support of UNESCO, representative of Japanese International Collaboration Agency, Foundation of Craftsmen Support (USA) a water mill has been built in Koni Chil village, where the silk paper is also produced. It took many years to familiarize contemporaries with the hand made silk paper, which got a new life. First patterns were mostly used for the restoration of ancient manuscripts.

The water mill of “Meros” Craftsmen Asssociation is built on the very place where the mill used for samarkand silk paper production existed 300 years ago.

The secret of exclusive silk texture of samarkand paper is hidden in the technology of its production. The basis of paper produce is a bark of mulberry tree. It is necessary to note, that the most qualitative material is obtained in the winter.

After first frost, masters cut thick shoots of mulberry, brush the peel off and detach the cambium- soft porous layer. Next, the obtained material dried up in the sun. Though the process of paper production seems simple at first sight, it requires a huge and intensive work. Delicate peel of mulberry, wetted and softened, is boiled for few hours until the fibrous mass. Then they crumble up the material with wooden sticks until the finer threads appear after which the material is again put into the water, where it breaks into flocks. Obtained mass is filtered through a thin bolter and extracted. The final leaf of paper is dried up in the sun. The necessary density and shine, the gloss of silk, is reached by polishing the huckaback with agate and mussels.