A handicraft Selling-Factory shop, Isfahan-Iran

Handicraft, more precisely expressed as artisanic handicraft, sometimes also called artisanry, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is a traditional main sector of craft. Usually the term is applied to traditional means of making goods. The individual artisanship of the items is a paramount criterion, such items often have cultural and/or religious significance. Items made by mass production or machines are not handicraft goods.

Usually, what distinguishes the term handicraft from the frequently used category arts and crafts is a matter of intent: handicraft items are intended to be used, worn, etc., having a purpose beyond simple decoration. Handicraft goods are generally considered more traditional work, in traditional non-industrial and transitional societies created as a somewhat more necessary part of daily life (in comparison to industrial societies), while arts and crafts implies more of a hobby pursuit and a demonstration/perfection of a creative technique. In Britain in the late nineteenth century, however, the Arts and Crafts Movement was not a matter of hobbies, but of creating useful as well as creative work for people, using natural materials and traditional techniques. In practical terms, the categories have a great deal of overlap.

The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (August 2010)

Handicrafts in the Indian subcontinent[link]

Indian handicraft

The history of handicrafts in areas generally now comprising India and Pakistan is an old saga. To peep in to the traces of Indian handicrafts we need to go back almost 5000 years. The first references to handicrafts in the Indian subcontinent can be found from the Moen jo Daro, Sindh Indus Valley Civilization (3000 BC-1700 BC). The craft tradition in India has revolved around religious beliefs, local needs of the commoners, as well as the special needs of the patrons and royalty, along with an eye for foreign and domestic trade. These craft traditions have withstood the ravages of time and numerous foreign invasions and continue to flourish till date owing to the assimilative nature of Indian culture and broadmindedness of the handicraftsmen to accept and use new ideas.Therefore the handicrafts are a mark of golden history of our country.

The Indus valley civilization had a rich craft tradition as well as a high degree of technical excellence in the field of pottery making, sculpture (metal, stone and terracotta), jewelry, weaving, etc. A lot of material information from excavations at Harappa, Mohen-jo-daro, etc. substantiate the craft tradition of the Indus valley civilization. The craftsmen not only catered to all the local needs but surplus items were sent to ancient Arabian cultures via ancient sea routes.

Handicraft is the art of creating products using raw and indigenous materials. It develops the skills and creative interests of students towards a particular craft or trade. The basic training provided in a specific craft prepares the students to become competent craftsmen and artists who can contribute to the establishment of cottage industries, thus contributing to the economic growth of the country.

State Empires[link]

The concept of state was ushered by the rise of the Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC. It is said that during the time of Ashoka, 84,000 stupas were built in India, including the world famous Sanchi Stupa, which has beautiful stone carving and relief work done on it. Numerous sculptures from Bharhut, Mathura, Amravati, Vaishali, Sanchi, etc. show female figures adorned with an array of jewelry, which continues to inspire contemporary jewelry making. The iron pillars of Vaishali (Bihar) and Delhi, created during the time of Emperor Ashoka, are a marvel in the field of metallurgy.

Post Mauryan Age[link]

The period between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD was a period of political turmoil as a result of foreign invasions from central Asia. The impact of these intrusions can be seen in the Buddhist sculptures from Taxila, Begram, Bamiyan, Swat valley, etc. (all from the present day Pakistani North West Frontier province) which show a high degree of Greek influence. The depiction of Buddha, having curly hair and wearing draperies, until date is the result of this Greek influence. The sculpture of the Kushan king Kanishka from this period depicting him wearing leather boots and a heavy warm coat amply reflects the influence of the central Asian Culture on Indian craftsmanship. Jewelry, sculpture, textile making, leather products, metal working, etc. were the main handicrafts that inherited these foreign influences and assimilated them in accordance with the Indian milieu.

Gupta Age[link]

The Gupta (AD 320-647) age is referred to as the classical period in Indian history. The points in the field of craft include the rock cut temples of Ellora and the Ajanta murals. These murals give us a realistic view of the lifestyle of that time. The craftsmen of this period, under royal patronage excelled in jewelry making, woodcarving, sculpture, stone carving and weaving.

Medieval India[link]

The Medieval period of Indian history in the context of handicrafts showed a marked shift from north India to the Deccan and southern parts of the country, though the handicraftsmen under the Delhi Sultanate period flourished in the field of pottery, weaving, wood carving, metal working, jewelry, etc. The contribution of the Cholas and the Vijaynagar Empire in the field of bronze sculpture, silk weaving, jewelry, temple carving is beyond parallel. The fine example of stone carving from central India can be seen in the form of the Khajuraho Temples, built by the Chandelas. Rich and ornate wood and stone carving can be found in medieval temple of Jagannath at Puri in Orissa.

List of handicraft trades[link]

Handicrafts include:

• Assemblage – collage in three dimensions
• Beadwork
• Bone carving buffalo, camel, elephant bone carving.
• Cabinet making
• Chip carving
• Collage possibly involving seeds, fabric, paper, photographs and/or found objects
• Crochet
• Embossed aluminum or silver
• Embroidery
• Gardening
• Buffalo horn carving, Rhino horn carving.
• Knitting
• Lathart
• Marquetry
• Metalwork
• Mosaic
• Needlework
• Nakshi Kantha
• Pottery and Ceramics
• Pressed flower craft — uses real flowers and leaves
• Puppetry
• Quilting - also reference Quilt and Art quilts
• Saddlemaking
• Scale model
• Sewing
• Shoemaking
• Spinning
• Stained glass
• Wood burning
• Wood carving
• Woodturning
• Woodworking

See also[link]

Look up handicraft in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Artisan
• Arts and crafts
• Rural crafts

v t e Decorative arts, handicrafts, arts and crafts Textile Banner-making Canvas work Cross-stitch Crocheting Curve stitching Embroidery Felting Friendship bracelet Knitting Lace-making Lucet Macrame Millinery Needlepoint Needlework Patchwork Quilting Ribbon embroidery Rug hooking Rug making Sewing Shoemaking Spinning (textiles) String art Tapestry Tatting Tie-dye Weaving Paper Bookbinding Calligraphy Cardmaking Card Modelling Collage Decoupage Embossing Iris folding Marbling Origami Kirigami Paper toys Papercraft Papier-mâché Scrapbooking Stamping Wallpaper Wood Cabinet making Carpentry Chip carving Ébéniste Fretwork Intarsia Marquetry Wood burning Wood carving Woodturning Ceramic Azulejo Bone china Cameo glass Earthenware Glassware Porcelain Pottery Stained glass Stoneware Terracotta Metal Jewellery Silversmithing Other Assemblage Beadwork Bone carving Doll making Dollhouse Egg decorating Engraved gems Hardstone carving Lathart Lapidary Leatherworking Miniatures Micromosaic Mosaic Pietra dura Pressed flower craft Scrimshaw Straw marquetry, Wall decals