The craft market - Italy

1.1 Introduction

Craftsmanship is that activity which is based on the production of goods made by hand, with technical skill and creativity. Italy offers a wide range of products made by hand by skilled artisans. Some examples include:

• Handcrafted jewelry: goldsmithing, silver jewelry, unique and personalized creations.
• Leather products: handbags, belts, shoes, fashion accessories.
• Ceramics: artistic ceramics, decorative objects, dishes and tableware.
• Fabrics: handmade textiles, custom-made clothing, textile furnishings.
• Furniture: custom-made furniture, restoration of antique furniture, handcrafted furnishings.

In Italy, craftsmanship is an art handed down from generation to generation, with artisans guarding traditions and producing Made in Italy products. However, over time, some changes have been made that have affected the definition and protection of craftsmanship. In 1956, the Italian Parliament changed the definition of craftsmanship, including mass production in the same scope as artisanal work. This led to a reduction in the recognition of handicrafts as an art form and resulted in tax obligations similar to those of industries. Despite this, handicrafts retain their charm and cultural value, with artisans continuing to preserve traditions and create unique, high-quality products.[Habitat]

Our country is characterized by a productive fabric with a widespread presence of 'crafts, with 1,010,318 active craft enterprises, or 23.1 percent of enterprises, employing 2,613,608 people, or 15.0 percent of the workforce, but becoming almost a quarter of those employed in micro and small enterprises.[Confartigianato]

This study will analyze the market as a whole, while in-depth analysis of individual craft sectors is deferred to specific Businesscoot studies.