Although Artisan and craftsman are sometimes considered synonymous, there is a key difference between these two terms. Firstly, let’s define the words artisan and craftsman. An artisan is a skilled worker who creates items by hand, while a craftsman is a worker skilled in a craft. The main difference can be seen in the object produced by an artisan and a craftsman. In an artisan’s creation, a spark of creativity can be observed, whereas in the case of a craftsman, the creation is a result of replication, more than creativity.
Key Takeaways
- An artisan is a skilled worker who makes things by hand, and a craftsman is a worker skilled in a craft.
- The objects created by artisans have both functional and aesthetic value, while the objects created by craftsmen mainly have functional value.
- Artisan creations tend to have a higher market value than craftsman creations, due to their unique and creative nature.
Who is an Artisan?
An artisan is a skilled worker who creates various items by hand, including sculptures, jewelry, furniture, clothing, mechanical goods, and tools. The specialty of an artisan is that most of the objects they create have functional value. This is why a distinction can be made between an artist and an artisan. In the case of an artist, the objects have more of an aesthetic value than anything else, but the objects created by artisans have both functional and aesthetic values. However, it must be noted that in some cases, the objects can have merely decorative value only.
It is believed that to be an artisan, an individual requires a lot of experience and creativity. Some can even excel to the levels of artists as well. In the ancient days, before the industrial revolution which resulted in the mass production of goods, artisans held a high position in society, as people consumed various objects from artisans. Even today, such objects have a high value on the market because they are handmade, hence carrying a unique value.
Who is a Craftsman?
A craftsman is a worker skilled in a craft, such as carpentry or pottery. A craftsman needs to have a lot of experience so that they can be skilled in creating various crafts. When a craftsman is new to a field, they often work under the supervision of a master craftsman, and are known as an apprentice.
In each country, there are crafts that are unique to the country or region. For example, in Sri Lanka, the creation of masks in various traditional forms is considered a craft. However, along with new technological development, most crafts are dying away due to the increase in various industries that replace the roles of the craftsmen with machinery.
What is the difference between Artisan and Craftsman?
Definitions of Artisan and Craftsman:
Artisan: An artisan is a skilled worker who makes things by hand.
Craftsman: A craftsman is a worker skilled in a craft.
Characteristics of Artisan and Craftsman:
Object:
Artisan: The object has both functional and aesthetic value.
Craftsman: The object mainly has a functional value.
Value in the market:
Artisan: The object has a high value.
Craftsman: The object has a comparatively lower value.
Skill:
Artisan: An artisan is highly skilled in their field.
Craftsman: A craftsman is also highly skilled in their field, although they do not need as much creativity, only the necessary skill to replicate an object.
