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Sardinian Handicraft
Handicraft is certainly one of the most characteristic
aspects of Sardinia. Its peculiar characteristics
are originality and simplicity in its essential
forms. Its origins are mixed in the most ancient
history and reach our times unchanged in their
tradition, finding expression in the production
of domestic objects, such as rugs, ceramics,
jewellery from precious metals and coral, such
as those of gold or silver filigree, cherished
throughout the world, and characterised by
the attention to detail and precision that
is given when they are made. Amongst the many
objects that are produced, there are earrings
and rings with mounted pearls and stones, bracelets,
brooches, necklaces, rosary beads and others,
all made from precious stones.
The tradition of and the production of Sardinian
rugs is considered to be one of the most representative
forms of Sardinian handicraft and the cultural
heritage of Sardinia. The rug, initially used
as a chest cover, a decoration of the dowry
chest of the wife to be with a little domestic
treasure.
From then on, different uses arose, whether
as a cover, hanging, or as a rug itself. The
current textile production has been expanded
to produce other domestic objects, such as
curtains, cushions, towels and tablecloths,
the decoration of which shows a slow, modern
evolution, even though there is a constant
inspiration by traditional figurative elements.
Even ceramic art has its roots deeply mixed
in history and, throughout the centuries, has
always maintained a close relationship with
tradition and past forms. The ancient forms
of this art include customary and familiar
themes: containers for oil, water and wine,
small and large jugs, glasses, mugs, flasks,
crockery, hot water containers and so on.
Amongst the other handicraft that is produced
in Sardinia, we make note of the carpentry, which
has produced chests, and typical masks of certain
regions of Sardinia (Ottana, Ovodda, Mammoiada,
etc) and the art of weaving from which the famous
baskets of Sardinia come.
Tradizioni
The popular Sardinian dances in traditional
costume date back to time immemorial and, initially
they held a magical significance. The most
widely spread dance on the island is the dance
of su ballu tundu (the
round dance) or duru-duru,
certainly the most simple dance, where all
form a circle, then remove themselves from
the circle, but then return to the circle after
having danced all the other routines. It is
known as the Sardinian dance (not by chance
is it also called the ballu sardu),
partly because in the entire Mediterranean,
it only seems to be practiced in Sardinia,
and partly because it seems to capture something
of all other dances on the island.
To understand the popular Sardinian songs, the
best example is undoubtedly the cantu
a tenòres. To describe it,
we quote Gaston Vuiller (1890): “When
one has listened to this song, he never forgets
it again. It is no longer the sound of a human
voice, but a pleasurable musical humming that
expands, decreases only to increase again. At
times, one note alone dominates, sonorous and
clear, then the lower note takes over. At points,
the voices break out in unison and at other times,
a soloist, by way of a full harmony, disperses
a slow melody. This singular rhythm, very strange
and difficult to explain, could be compared to
the Arabian chanting with which the deep resonance
of some liturgical songs are served.” |
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