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An overview of Maltese handicrafts

Found in the Hypogeum of Hal-Saflieni, the Sleeping Lady, an icon of Maltese Neolithic art, bears witness to the age-old Maltese craftsmanship. Just like the fragments of linen textiles, dyed red, exhumed in the Tarxian temples. In 870, it was the Arabs who brought cotton and their expertise in weaving and dyeing. Cotton production was to become a major rural industry from the Middle Ages until the early 19th century. Encouraged by the Church, weaving, embroidery and lacemaking would become an important source of income for many families. However, it is the Knights who will give its true development to the craft industry through the manufacture of many gold and silver objects. The most precious production is watermarks and jewellery, which are still particularly sought-after and exported all over the world.

Jewelry and lace recognized throughout the world

Watermarked jewellery. They are one of the most emblematic creations of Malta and Gozo, of course hand made. The filigree technique consists of using twisted gold or silver threads. The more the pattern is worked, the more valuable the jewel is. Valletta, especially Santa Lucia Street, has the largest number of artisan jewellers. You can sometimes see them working in their workshop and even order a personalized piece of jewellery. The designs they make are many and varied, with numerous Maltese crosses, but also butterflies, boats... During a visit, you can also, but it is rarer, see jewels made according to the acan technique. This is a braided pattern of small golden balls, which characteristically adorns the pieces of Maltese jewellery. It is also attributed a Portuguese origin, the only country where similar works can be found. This work requires a special skill and skill that justifies the high prices of these true works of art (the tighter the weave, the heavier and therefore more expensive the object).

The lace, bizilla . This typical Maltese art is mostly practiced in Gozo. Imported by the Knights, the practice declined after their departure until it was revived in 1833 by Lady Hamilton Chichester, wife of the governor. She resumed the art of lacemaking according to the Genoese fashion, itself derived from the great Venetian tradition: Genoese rosette motifs and spirit stitches. This tradition will then be copied by other countries: France, Spain and England. It is especially in Gozo, in Sannat in particular, that you will be able to see it carried out on a small cushion with the help of "ghazel" (threads wound around elongated spools). You will notice its honey colour due to the use of Spanish silk threads and its motifs of the Maltese cross. Tablecloths and placemats are among the most common objects, but there is no shortage of new creations, such as bookmarks.

Objects made of blown glass

Vases, vials, jugs, characters... in many colours and even balls to hang on your Christmas tree will accompany your trip, whether in Malta or Gozo. If you want to know everything about the art of glass blowing and sculpting, go to Ta'Qali, themain glass-blowing location of the Mdina Glass kilns, the first artisan glass producer on the islands which opened its doors in 1968. Mouth blowing with blowguns, hand shaping of objects: almost nothing has changed in this glass making which dates back to the 1st century BC. Many shops have opened in Malta and Gozo, so you will have no problem finding them. Also be on the lookout, some pieces with small defects are sometimes sold off.

Ceramics and sculptures

If pottery is one of the oldest crafts in Malta, the techniques have evolved but you will find many ceramics workshops offering decorative or kitchen objects with very colourful patterns (blue, yellow, red, green) that will brighten up an interior. You can also learn how to carve Maltese stone, globigerine, by visiting the Limestone Heritage site in Siggiewi and perhaps bring back a church or a monument from Malta carved in this material.

Gourmet basket

Although the Maltese are increasingly urbanized, they have not lost their roots in the land and the country is quite well placed in terms of organic agriculture, whose products can be found in supermarkets as well as in the more touristy resorts. A visit to Gozo should allow you to buy some of the foods you will have enjoyed during your trip: fresh or dried goat cheese, sometimes coated with pepper(gbejna), salt or honey with a delicate and unique thyme flavor. Oil, green and black olives, dried tomatoes and various types of nougats will complete the basket, accompanied by wine of course. And don't worry, even if you don't stay in Gozo, you will find it everywhere in Malta. Another emblematic plant of Malta and Gozo is at the origin of many variations: the prickly pear (Preakly Pear). You can taste it in fruit juice, jam, liqueur and even ice cream. And you will also find it in the form of soaps.

Small shops and craft fairs

It is of course in Valletta, Malta, and Victoria, Gozo, that you will find the most complete panorama of the island's craft resources. But you will find souvenir shops in all the tourist centres of Malta. Markets can also be good places to shop. The main markets are Monday in Mosta, Tuesday morning in Vittoriosa, Wednesday in Zejtun, Friday in Sliema and Birkirkara, Saturday in Zabbar, Sunday in Rabat, Marsaxlokk and Floriana. The other highlight for these discoveries are the craft fairs in Malta which regularly promote the artisans. In Valletta, these fairs are usually held in spring and autumn, while in summer they are held in Sliema, Bugibba and Marsascala. As for the Christmas market, it is of course in December. To find out the exact calendar of these different events, you can consult the website www.visitmalta.com.