Why do artisans matter?

Some believe that Italy is one of the most fabled countries in Europe; as a native of this Mediterranean peninsula, I tend to be one of them!  In this old land of mine, the art of making by hand still enchants people, no matter who they are! In fact, from the Far East, to the Middle East, and on to the New World, those who specialised in the crafts have enriched cultures for centuries.

For the record, the Concise Oxford Dictionary states that an “artisan” is a noun; it stems from the Latin verb “artire”, to instruct in the arts, and it means “worker in a skilled trade, especially one that involves making things by hand”.  History tells us that artisans came to prominence during mediaeval times when the Merchant Guilds or trade associations comprising merchants and craftsmen sprung up throughout the region to protect them and their skills.  Centuries later, markets changed, and though the power of the Guilds seemed to have dwindled, artisans proved to be a resilient group.  They have successfully defied the arrival of the machine, and industrialisation on a massive scale, and have, of late, begun to flourish.

There seems to be a resurgence of interest in handcrafted goods, thanks in large part to inspired individuals who seek to harness the uniqueness of wares made by time-honored methods.   At one end of the spectrum there are philanthropic, noble ventures, like the Afghanistan-based Turquoise Mountain Foundation launched by Rory Stewart in 2006.   An article written by Nicole Swengley of the Financial Times back in February 2010 shed light on what this intrepid group was doing there. It was a thrilling piece that highlighted the foundation’s mission of restoring hope in a worn-torn country by reviving centuries-old crafts that include carving, pottery, glass and furniture making.  Ambitious as this project may be, it has received tremendous support; the Foundation’s first UK commission came from the luxury Connaught Hotel in London.   

Meanwhile, in the for-profit arena, adventurous, entrepreneurial types aspire to do good too by ensuring that the multi-generational workshops filled with tailors and seamstresses, cobblers and the like, stay open for decades to come.  So be it a goodwill enterprise, one that is an ambassador for peace, or one whose by-product is profit, the message seems to be the same.

In a world so driven by technology, there is still room for a beautiful cashmere wrap spun on an ancient loom, or a piece of jewelry lovingly and meticulously assembled by expert hands.  Yet another, catching idea is that modern living, gently buttressed by artisanal traditions refines cultural sensibility; and such a respect for the old, while embracing the new helps to make a country like Italy one of the most seductive on earth.

 

We are a company that, not unlike Rory Stewart’s Foundation, has a noble pursuit; to join with and be another voice for the artisan.  We bear with pride the label “Made in Italy” that to this day has not lost its lustre or its maximum guarantee of high quality. 

Artisans bring more than tradition to us; they also bring a dash of romance to the mix.  Small ateliers, hubs of creativity, evoke warmer images, than those of an impersonal factory producing limitless numbers of this or that.  Perhaps, this is one of the many reasons why the demand for non-ubiquitous products, those that stir our soul, is growing.

So why do artisans matter? Because they are a conduit to traditions that have endured; they give us heartfelt pleasure for we love to model their wares and they represent hope for the future in their timeless designs.   

Myriam