Portuguese handicraft is one of the most beautiful in the world, and very varied: pottery, tinware, cutlery, wood, natural soaps, leather goods, jewelry...
Portuguese handicraft has always been an important subject and a target of great interest, both nationally and internationally. It is an activity whose objective is the manual production of quality pieces, for utilitarian or decorative purpose.
Although Portugal is a small country, it has handicrafts that are very variable and unique from region to region, from the handmade ceramics of Coimbra to the Arraiolos tapestry.
It is known that Portugal has become a notorious reference point for this activity. It is therefore unthinkable not to mention ceramics when one thinks of Portugal. This art not only includes different types of tiles, but also a variety of decorative pieces with a unique and incomparable beauty.
We want to present here different types of ceramics: kitchenware has a huge presence in our site not to mention the different decorative pieces that bring art into home, making your place more welcoming and special.
For this, the best way to include these aspects in your home, is to choose a palette of distinctive and soft colors, such as the typical ceramics of the Coimbra region, represented here.
In a bygone era, it was common to hear the tinsmith or blacksmith working the metal on his anvil. But it is in the province of Trás-os-Montes, more specifically, in the district of Vila Real that one can still find remarkable tinsmiths, who work with fine metals and, in particular, with the famous tinplate.
The tinners contribute to keep this art alive, building funnels, olive oil dispenser and even oil lamps, pieces that besides their utility, are used as part of decoration. As this art is threatened with extinction due to the few craftsmen who still dedicate themselves to this field, our site contributes to the continuity of this beautiful traditional art, by disclosing traditional pieces with an innovation touch, in order to meet new audiences.
In Portugal the quality of cutlery is equally remarkable. Traditional portuguese knives and pocket knives continue to be made primarily by hand. Each knife is handled countless times before being finished, passing through several steps in the manufacturing process ; from steel plates cut into rectangles, coated blades being repeatedly treated and polished, then cut, sanded, and rounded to the size of each handle.
Each piece produced is distinct due to the unique and original way they are worked, associated with different workmanship, as well as the use of natural materials such as antlers, horns, deer antlers, and woods.
Wood is indeed one of the most commonly used raw materials due to its elegance and delicacy in the decorative arrangement.
It is a classic and timeless material that can be used in all forms of decoration, from the most rustic and traditional to the most modern and daring. Moreover, it is a raw material that infuses the areas where it is used with a feeling of warmth and tranquility. In fact, the use of wood in decorations and utilitarian pieces is a distinctive characteristic of Portugal.
The most appreciated Portuguese woods for these purposes include oak, walnut, cherry, eucalyptus, pine and chestnut. Great durability, versatility and quality are some of the characteristics that distinguish them from others. Due to its lightness, easy painting and simple handling, some of these woods are widely used in the construction of countless toys.
Today, the need for easy access to all consumer goods limits the population to mass produced items according to a globalized industrial logic.
However, we live in an age of greater awareness, including the need to pay attention to nature. In addition, there is a growing interest in health and therefore in the quality of the products we consume.
Therefore, using natural raw materials as a production strategy becomes a priority, because they respect both the environment and the balance and well-being of the skin, not to mention that they are produced using the cold saponification process, which preserves the properties and benefits of the natural products used. And because we are a part of nature, everything we put on our bodies should be too.
Portuguese leather goods are known to be among the best in the world. Brands from all over the world use Portugal's expertise in this field to produce leather goods. Most of these brands use an industrial process and chemically treated leather. In our handicraft store we use a manual process and leather treated only with vegetable products, as this transforms the leather into a durable material, which makes it soft to the touch and highlights many of its attractive properties.
Giving a gift of Portuguese handicrafts is not only a way of pleasing your loved ones, but also a way of supporting craftsmen who work hard to keep ancestral skills alive. Discover our selection of the best gifts for all occasions.
Portuguese dogs are for the most part easy to train, obedient and intelligent. Their use for hunting or herding has maintained and improved the Portuguese dog breeds over the centuries.
The Portuguese production represents more than 50% of the world production.
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