An overview of Maltese handicrafts
Found in the Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum, the Sleeping Lady, an icon of Maltese Neolithic art, testifies to the age of Maltese craftsmanship. Just like the fragments of red-dyed linen textiles unearthed in 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 lace were a major source of income for many families. However, it was the Knights who gave the craft its real impetus with the manufacture of numerous gold and silver objects. The most precious products were filigree and jewelry, which are still highly sought-after and exported all over the world.
Jewelry and lace recognized throughout the world
Filigree jewelry. They are one of the most emblematic creations of Malta and Gozo, and are, of course, handmade. The filigree technique uses twisted gold or silver wires. The more elaborate the pattern, the more valuable the jewel. Valletta's Santa Lucia Street is home to the largest number of artisan jewelers. You can sometimes watch them at work in their workshops, and even place an order for a personalized piece of jewelry. The designs are varied, with many Maltese crosses, but also butterflies, boats... During a visit, you may also see jewelry made using the acan technique. This is a woven pattern of small golden balls, characteristic of Maltese jewelry pieces. It is also said to have originated in Portugal, the only country where similar work can be found. This work requires a special skill and dexterity that justify the high prices of these veritable works of art (the tighter the weave, the heavier and therefore more expensive the object).
Lace, bizilla. This typical Maltese art is practiced mainly on 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 took up the art of lacemaking according to the Genoese fashion, itself derived from the great Venetian tradition: Genoese rosette motifs and spirit stitches. This tradition was later copied by other countries: France, Spain and England. In Gozo, especially in Sannat, you'll see it made on a small cushion using "ghazel" (threads wound around elongated bobbins). You'll notice its honey color, due to the use of Spanish silk threads, and its Maltese cross motifs. Tablecloths and placemats are among the most common items, but there's no shortage of new creations, such as bookmarks.
Objects made of blown glass
Vases, flasks, carafes, figures... in a wide range of colors and even baubles to hang on your Christmas tree will accompany your trip, whether to Malta or Gozo. If you'd like to learn all about the art of glassblowing and glass sculpture, head to Ta'Qali, the main glassblowing facility of the Mdina Glass kilns, the islands' first producer of handmade glassware, which opened its doors in 1968. Mouth-blown with blowpipes, shaped by hand: almost nothing has changed in this glassmaking tradition, which dates back to the 1st century BC. Many stores have opened in Malta and Gozo, so you'll have no trouble finding one. Be on the lookout too, as some pieces with minor defects are sometimes sold out.
Ceramics and sculptures
Although pottery is one of Malta's oldest crafts, techniques have evolved considerably over the years, and you'll find numerous ceramics workshops offering decorative or kitchen items with colorful motifs (blue, yellow, red, green) that will brighten up any interior. You can also try your hand at sculpting Maltese stone, globigerine, at the Limestone Heritage site in Siggiewi, and perhaps take home a Maltese church or monument carved in this material.
Gourmet basket
Although the Maltese are increasingly city-dwellers, they have not lost their roots in the land, and the country is well placed when it comes to organic farming, whose products can be found in supermarkets and tourist resorts alike. A visit to Gozo should enable you to pick up some of the foods you enjoyed during your trip: fresh or dried goat's cheese, sometimes coated with pepper(gbejna), salt or honey with its delicate and unique thyme flavor. Oil, green and black olives, sun-dried tomatoes and a variety of nougats complete the basket, accompanied of course by wines. And don't worry, even if you're not staying in Gozo, you'll find thyme all over Malta. Another plant emblematic of Malta and Gozo is at the origin of numerous variations: the prickly pear (Preakly Pear). You can enjoy it in fruit juices, jams, liqueurs and even ice cream. And you'll also find it in the form of soaps.
Small shops and craft fairs
Of course, it's in Valletta, on the island of Malta, and Victoria, on the island of Gozo, that you'll find the most complete panorama of the island's craft resources. But you'll find souvenir stores in all of Malta's tourist centers. Markets are also 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 is Malta's craft fairs, which regularly promote artisans. In Valletta, these fairs are generally held in spring and autumn, while in summer they move to Sliema, Bugibba and Marsascala. The Christmas market, of course, takes place in December. For the exact calendar of events, please visit www.visitmalta.com.
