craftsmanship

…is the task of a craftsman. A sculptor often functions as both designer and craftsman, but these two aspects of sculpture may be separated.

…is similarly esteemed, and the craftsman’s skill—whether applied to ritual or to secular, utilitarian works—is highly valued. Craftsmanship, in fact, is the main criterion by which a work is judged. Art, moreover, is produced for particular functions: reinforcing social ranking or political influence; propitiating gods, spirits, and ancestors; encouraging good…

…largely self-reliant, some degree of craft skill is practically universal. Men make their own canoes, build their own houses, and carve simple household equipment such as hooks and stools; individuals are responsible for decorating their own belongings, including their bodies. In the case of body decoration, however, which can be…

There is no reason to suppose that the shape of an instrument is governed only by acoustic requirements; it seems often to be the other way around: the symbolically appropriate shape preferred by a given culture produces a particular tone quality,…

The high value placed upon musical instruments within a culture is generally reflected in their craftsmanship. In addition to the skill and quality of materials the maker incorporates into the construction itself, artistry comes into play as the maker decorates an instrument with symbolic…