artisan

It has been suggested that craft be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2012.

It has been suggested that tradesman be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2012.

An artist blacksmith and a striker working as one.

Wood carver in Bali.

An artisan (from Italian: artigiano) or craftsman (craftsperson)^[1] is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewelry, household items, and tools or even machines such as the handmade devices of a watchmaker. An artisan is therefore a person engaged in or occupied by the practice of a craft, who may through experience and talent reach the expressive levels of an art in their work and what they create.

The adjective "artisanal" is sometimes used in marketing and advertising as a buzz word to describe or imply some relation with the crafting of handmade food products, such as bread, tofu, beverages, and cheese. Many of these have traditionally been handmade, rural, or pastoral goods but are also now commonly made on a larger scale with automated mechanization in factories and other industrial areas.

Artisan origins

Artisans were the dominant producers of consumer products prior to the Industrial Revolution. According to classical economics theory, the division of labour occurs with internal market development (Adam Smith). However, according to economist John Hicks, merchants and artisans originated as servants to the rulers, which occurred much earlier.

Medieval artisans

During the Middle Ages, the term "artisan" was applied to those who made things or provided services. It did not apply to unskilled labourers. Artisans were divided into two distinct groups: those who operated their own business, and those who did not. Those who owned their businesses were called masters, while the latter were the journeymen and apprentices. One misunderstanding many people have about this social group is that they picture them as "workers" in the modern sense: employed by someone. The most influential group among the artisans were the masters, the business owners. The owners enjoyed a higher social status in their communities.^[2]

Gallery

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  Carpenter, 1425

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  Tailor, 1425

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  Armourer, 1425

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  Dyer, 1433

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  Saddler, 1470

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  Tanner, 1473

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  Weaver, 1524

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  Nailsmith, 1529

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  Hatter, 1533

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  Shoemaker, 1535

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  Furrier, 1543

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  Goldsmith, 1543

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  Wheelwright, 1545

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  Stonemason, 1550

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  Bladesmith, 1564

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  Locksmith, 1600

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  Potter, 1605

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  Blacksmith, 1606

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  Cooper, 1608

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  Gunsmith, 1613

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  Ropemaker, 1616

See also

• Artist
• Applied art
• Arts and Crafts movement
• Caste — Tarkhan
• Guild

References

External links

• The Wiktionary entry for artisan
• History of Artisans