Arts and Crafts

Sardinia’s arts and crafts: island art made of natural materials

Sardinia’s arts and crafts are a successful mix of aesthetics and practicality. Only regional materials like cork, sheep’s wool, silver, coral and chestnut wood are used – for unforgettable souvenirs from your sun-drenched, favourite island.

Sardinia’s arts and crafts originated less from an aesthetic perspective and more from the needs of the rural population. This is one of the reasons why the island’s craftsmanship is still characterised by its high functionality – but at the same time it reflects the wild beauty and unique charm of the Sardinian culture. Only materials typical of the island are used, such as sheep’s wool, chestnut wood, asphodel, dwarf palm, coral, silver and cork.

When it comes to processing them, Sardinians are not short of flair and originality either – over the course of time, the patterns on the carpets have become more and more refined, the ornaments in jewellery increasingly sophisticated and the colour schemes of weaving even more unique.

In each of the villages, visitors have the opportunity to buy the region’s typical craft objects: hand-woven baskets, ceramics, wood carvings, weaving, ironwork, leather goods, knives, shepherds’ musical instruments and jewellery. One lovely keepsake from Sardinia is the fede sarda, a finely chiselled Sardinian wedding ring in gold or silver – or if you come by car, a traditional Sardinian cassapanca chest made of chestnut, walnut or oak.

Our tip:

The thousand treasures of Sardinian arts and crafts can be discovered along a beautiful route from the north to the south of Sardinia. 

Good to know:

In Sardinia, many artisans have joined ISOLA (Sardinian Institute for the Organisation of Artisanal Work). Throughout the island, ISOLA runs several exhibitions and sales rooms, which sell only genuine Sardinian handicrafts.