Tasteful
and original, Sardinian artisan crafts are closely linked to island traditions
and influenced by the cultures that have marked the course of its history. The weaving of rugs, tapestries, cushions and
bedspreads using fine sheep's wool, cotton and linen is particularly
fascinating, displaying a remarkable variety of colours and décors.
The same
décors present on the characteristic, beautifully carved linen chests, rustic
furniture and kitchen utensils. The
delicate gold filigree jewellery has long constituted an essential element of
the Sardinian traditional costumes and is still today handmade by specialized
artisan craftsmen.
In Alghero the allure of jewels is further enhanced by the
addition of coral harvested from the local sea. Not to mention the beautiful
hand-woven baskets, reminiscent of tradition, created using materials readily
available throughout the areas concerned: asphodel stalks, cane, wheat or dwarf
palms decorated with wool inserts and cotton cloth.
The production of ceramics
is particularly widespread: elementary linear creations side by side with
elaborate singular-shaped items such as the finely modelled pullets and
lapwings. Knives, wrought iron and cork represent further characteristic
products of an artisan tradition revealing an age-old unique disposition.
