Sardinian artisan products
Some Sardinian artisanal crafts date back to ancient times, and, as in the case of ceramics, archaeological finds and archival documents bear witness to their history. The list of typical local products is long, from precious gold or coral objects to marvelous hand-woven textiles.
Among the typical artisanal activities of Sardinia are the working of bronze and iron , characteristic mostly of the Sulcis area which is rich in mines, or the art of weaving straw and rush to make baskets like those typical of Sinnai.
Another characteristic of Sardinian artisan production is the creation of knives which are often truly valuable objects, made in places such as
- Guspini
- Pattada
- Arbus
- Saint Lussurgiu
Knife handles are generally made of ram or mouflon horn, and the steel blades have different shapes depending on the type of use of the knife.
Ceramic
Ceramics are a very ancient craft, as evidenced by archaeological finds preserved in several museums as everyday utensils. In the 17th century, as reported in some archive documents, a guild of artisans who crafted ceramic tableware was even founded.
Modern artistic work sometimes reinterprets ancient objects and decorations, and among the most common examples of ceramic artifacts are water jugs, drinking flasks, vases, jars, and cooking pots. The most typical and recurring decorations are those inspired by flora and fauna as well as agriculture.
Among the typical production, some artefacts made for special occasions also stand out, such as the so-called bride’s jug , a container used for water that is traditionally part of the bride’s trousseau and which has different shapes and decorations depending on the place where it was made: generally, the decoration is highly elaborate with motifs taken from votive breads, floral designs and symbolic religious figurines.
Some Sardinian towns, such as Assemini, in the province of Cagliari, or Oristano, are members of the Association of Italian Ceramic Cities (AICC), along with all those Italian towns where the tradition of ceramic production is well-established and whose production has been awarded a quality mark.
Hand woven
The making of carpets and tapestries is one of the most traditional and ancient Sardinian crafts. Carpets were originally used to cover the chest in which, still today, a widespread tradition is to store the bride’s trousseau.
Rugs are made using various techniques, depending on the production area: in Barbagia, for example, rugs are more durable, have a double face and a wool covering, while Isili rugs are generally striped with very bright colors.
Another difference in the workmanship is given by the type of loom used: the vertical loom is widespread in Barbagia and Goceano and is used to create large tapestries and rugs, while the horizontal loom is the most common throughout Sardinia and is more suitable for various types of rugs.
Other products made with Sardinian fabrics include tablecloths from Teulada (in the province of Cagliari) with fruit and vegetable decorations and shawls from Oliena (in the province of Nuoro) made of wool or linen.
Gold and coral
Gold and coral can be considered two precious raw materials from which highly valuable objects and jewels are obtained, entirely handcrafted.
Goldsmithing is an activity with very ancient origins, and in the past, gold was used to decorate traditional Sardinian clothing with buttons, pins, chains, amulets, and bracelets made of gold or silver.
The eastern coast of Sardinia, particularly the Alghero area in the province of Sassari, is undoubtedly the home of coral, Sardinia’s red gold, used to create precious jewels and unique pieces crafted in Alghero’s artisan workshops.
Websites on typical Sardinian crafts
- Sardinia Tourism
Institutional website for the promotion of tourism in Sardinia of the Department of Tourism, Crafts and Commerce with information on local events and traditions. - Sardinia Point
A site where you can find a variety of information about Sardinia, including information on the history of local crafts and traditions. - Mondo Sardegna
Website with information on the Sardinia region and a collection of images of some of the typical Sardinian artisan products.
