A craft with Egyptian roots
From river to painted story.
Egyptian artisans carry forward an ancient craft: turning the papyrus plant into a surface for colour and storytelling. Follow the journey from the lush Nile Delta to a finished, hand-painted work of art.
01 / From plant to papyrus
By the Nile.
Papyrus thrives in wet ground. In Egypt’s Nile Delta, growers cultivate its tall green stems and feathery crowns for today’s papyrus workshops.
02 / From plant to papyrus
Reveal the heart.
The harvested stems are cut to length and their green outer rind is removed. The pale inner pith is then sliced lengthwise into thin strips.
03 / From plant to papyrus
Prepare the strips.
The strips are soaked and softened, making them pliable enough to flatten and arrange into an even sheet.
04 / From plant to papyrus
Cross the fibres.
The strips are laid side by side, with a second layer placed across the first at right angles. This crossed structure follows the same basic principle used in ancient Egyptian papyrus.
05 / From plant to papyrus
Press. Dry. A sheet.
The layered sheet is pressed between absorbent materials to remove moisture, then dried flat. The result is a firm, textured surface with the plant’s natural fibres still visible.
06 / From plant to papyrus
Bring the story to life.
An artisan draws the design and adds colour by hand, bringing Egyptian scenes and symbols to life on the finished sheet.
The finished piece
An ancient craft. A place on your wall.
Discover scenes, symbols and stories painted on papyrus. Explore the individual listing for its artist-made details, dimensions and what is included.
Horus at Edfu Papyrus - 40x60cm
Explore this artworkBefore it finds your wall
Your papyrus questions
What is papyrus made from?
Papyrus sheets are made from strips of the papyrus plant’s inner stalk, placed in crossing layers and pressed into a sheet. It is a different process from making paper from a suspended pulp.
Is the artwork hand painted?
Yes. All of our papyrus is hand painted by artisans in the heart of Egypt.
Does papyrus come with a certificate of authenticity?
Yes. All of our papyrus comes with a certificate of authenticity from our manufacturer in Egypt.
How do I frame it?
Papyrus is versatile and easy to frame, and its natural edge is part of its beauty. It looks beautiful against a matte paper background or floating between panes of glass or plexiglass. Choose a frame that gives the artwork and its edges room to show.
How should I display and care for papyrus?
Keep artwork away from direct sunlight and damp conditions. Handle it with clean, dry hands and avoid folding.
From our family to yours
Find a story for your wall.
Tell us what you have in mind. We’ll help you find a place to start.
Sources & further reading
- Mohamed, Arzak. “Methods and Materials of Making Ancient and Modern Papyrus Sheets: A Review.” Labyrinth: Fayoum Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Studies 1, no. 2 (2023): 74–81.
- Capua, Rebecca. “Papyrus-Making in Egypt.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 1, 2015.
- Kamrin, Janice. “Papyrus in Ancient Egypt.” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, March 1, 2015.
- ELBARDY. “About us.” ELBARDY, undated. Accessed September 19, 2026.