Handicrafts in Latvia

• Crafts what were everyday work before are now became rather unusual occupation and are called an applied art or folk art now. Throughout the country, 103 studies of applied folk art exist and almost 3000 artisans and master craftsmen work within there. We pride ourselves today with the fact that our ancestors’ love of handicrafts and spiritual customs still lives in the people.

There are short introduction in main Latvian crafts: ceramics – pottery, textile works, adornment making, basketry, woodwork, leather work and metalwork.

Ceramics

• Over time, regional Latvian ceramic traditions have been cre ated and preserved. These tradi tions exist through differences in the form and decoration of pott ery. The most spectacular con temporary tradition of regional pottery has been preserved in Latgale.

Woodwork

• In densely forested Latvia, our ancestors were practiced wood carving long ago. This craft was very essential in household. Starting with hose building and ending with carving spoons – nearly every man could do it himself.

• Even furniture was made at home. Furthermore almost every household object was decorated by ornaments and carving in wood.

• Today there is a large demand for woodcarvings in the Latvian market. Craftsmen become involved in the creation and restoration of furniture and interiors

Basketry

• Today folk art basketry, thanks to its shapes, structure and diver sity, also displays artistic value outside its practical application. Currently amongst folk art stu dios basketry workshops are the most active.

Adornment making

• Today craftsmen work in two different streams: they study and produce reproductions of adorn ments from all periods, in this way preserving ancient traditions of adornment making, and they make new, modern collections of adornments, which are inspired by Latvian ethnography and tradi tions and various styles of European art.

Metalwork

• These days, ancient blacksmithing techniques of bending, stretching and inter twining are seen in elements of Riga's architecture. Exhibitions of applied art demonstrate that recently master blacksmiths have mostly turned to creation of interior decoration candlesticks, fireplace accessories, and metal ornaments for articles of woodwork. These have pre served the historical traditions of manufacture and decoration.

Textile art

Weaving

• Currently weaving is one of the most developed branch of folk art in Latvia. Some two thirds of all masters of decorative arts are weavers, and preserva tion and development of their skills seems assured. Until now weavers use traditional ornaments and follow the lead of their parents and teachers, translate their world view, rhythms of life and obser vations of nature into their handi craft. This is particularly obvious in woven blankets and the skirts of folk costumes, in which the characteristics of different regional weaving traditions can be easily observed.

Knitting

• Gaining inspiration from the bright patterns in the gloves and socks of our ancestors, craftswomen today create collec tions which preserve marked regional differences. Hand-knitt ed gloves and socks are still the most traditional textiles, and one of the most esteemed gifts.

Lacework

• Making lace has again become popular in Latvia. Knitters in folk art studios make lace using a variety of techniques. The main emphasis is placed on the pro duction of ethnographic samples folk costumes, edging for towels and other details.