Handicrafts products from cottage based small manufacturing units. Some handicraft products often have identifying features such as traditional or artistic deriving from the region of production by craftsmen, working generally on a cottage industry basis. The customer-oriented definition of handicrafts suggests that it is the creative expression of a group of people with unique artistic skills who apply their talents to the production of material goods, which reflect their culture and heritage.
Bamboo baskets
The most important industries in Bangladesh in early and medieval times comprised handicrafts and cottage industries. Prominent amongst them were textiles, metal works, jewelry, wood works, cane and bamboo works, and clay and pottery. Later, jute and leather became the major raw materials for handicrafts. The result is a fascinating variety of baskets, pottery, wall hangings, handbags, travel kits, toys, ashtrays, carpets, embroidered quilts, and so on.
These products are characterised by utility, sustainability and environment friendliness blended with aesthetics appeal and are suitable for everyday use. The most predominant features of Bangladeshi handicrafts are the extensive use of individual skill and the interesting design motifs.
Early records show that Gangetic muslin reached even Roman and Greek empires. Chinese and Arab travelers also took note of the fine cotton and silk produced in Bengal. Since the 16th century, fine hand-woven textile as well as superior ivory, silver and metal objects from the Suba of Bengal were prized possessions at the court of the Mughals.
Mughal kings patronised the arts and crafts and commissioned the whole community of artists for making items of decoration for their use and for giving away as gifts.