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Crafts |
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Crafts contain and reveal a great deal of Maltese history, tradition, and cultural value, and they have made quite a comeback in recent years. However new they may seem, many Maltese crafts go back a long way, such as pottery, weaving, and glassblowing. Newer crafts are no less important and are cherished by those who ply their trade creating these crafts.
Maltese crafts such as clay pottery and weaving are among the oldest, dating all the way back to prehistoric ages. One prominent and excellently-preserved example of fine pottery work is the Sleeping Lady figurine that is one of the many artifacts unearthed in the Hypogeum. Flaxen textiles have been found in the Tarxien temples, evidence that the early inhabitants of Malta had talents in weaving. Sometime in the first century AD, cotton-growing also became an important part of early Maltese culture after being introduced by Arab traders. The use of cotton led to similar crafts such as embroidery and lace-making, and Maltese cloth gained reputation among the neighboring European countries, especially Italy. Yet another clothing-related industry, that of woolen knitwear, grew at a slower pace.
Aside from pottery and weaving, the Maltese are also proficient workers of gold and silver. This is a veritable art form in Malta , one that emerged when the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta in the 1500s. The fine Maltese gold and silver products have attained a level of prestige in Europe, and one will find exquisite antique articles in museums, churches, and other private collections.
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| Aside from pottery and weaving, the Maltese are also proficient workers of gold and silver. This is a veritable art form in Malta, one that emerged when the Knights of St. John arrived in Malta in the 1500s. The fine Maltese gold and silver products have attained a level of prestige in Europe, and one will find exquisite antique articles in museums, churches, and other private collections.
A craft with a more practical aspect is basket-making and wicker work. Since prehistory, local fishermen have all depended on strong, sturdy baskets to contain and transport their daily catch. Farmers have also relied on the durable wicker baskets for their produce as they harvested them in the fields and took them to market. And housewives all have need of a strong, handy basket for the myriad housekeeping purposes.
The Maltese have an important tradition of clock-making. All clock designs are totally, uniquely Maltese; clocks are made with an almost devotion-like level of skill and fervor that shows in their remarkable beauty and quality. In the past, these clocks were sold very cheaply; in fact, they are nicknamed “arlogg tal lira” clocks, meaning “clocks that cost one Maltese pound. Today, one can expect to pay much more than a few hundred pounds for a beautiful Maltese clock. Clocks come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny mantel-top pieces to towering grandfather clocks to outdoor sundials.
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