A walk along the lanes of Fontainhas, Goa’s Portugese quarter is revelation. The houses are brightly painted, terracota planters line the streets and residents are anounced with hand-painted tiles. To take a little bit of Goa home with you, we’ve put together a handy list of places to shop at, while pointing you towards the artisanal products that are made in Goa.
Seashell craft
From lampshades to mirrors to coasters—the humble seashell is used to make myriad household objects. Depending on what you’re looking for, there’s something for most sizes and budgets. If you’re looking to bring something small home, we’d suggest coasters or key chains to remind you of your time in the sunshine state.
Hand-painted tiles
Chef Floyd Cardoz has taken these tiles all the way to New York for his Paowalla restaurant in Soho. The hand-painted tiles, known as azueljos, can be found at the Velha Goa Galeria in the Fontainhas neighbourhood. (Velha Goa Galleria, Fontainhas, Altinho, Panjim)
Pottery and terracota
Bowls, flower pots, figurines and more are all fashioned by the skilled hands of Goan potters. Each piece is a labour of love and reflects the religious and stylistic diversity of India. From vases to souveniers to murals, you can bring home a part of the state.
Brassware
This traditional profession uses ancient techniques to create stunning metal items. Oil lamps, candle holders, church bells and more are sculpted into designs that meld the traditional with the modern.
Wooden lacquerware
Using an ancient technique, wood turning, as its known in Goa, is labour intensive and unforgiving. A rough block of wood is converted into anything from bed posts to wooden bowls. As each piece is hand made, no two designs are identical— each reflects the natural imperfections of the wood and the skill of the craftsman.
Bamboo craft
An old Goan technique— this sees bamboo converted into objects of daily use. From pots
to baskets to candle stands, this durable wood is fashioned into numerous different objects using traditional know-how.
Crochet and embroidery
Yarn is made into intricately detailed crochet designs,
which you can purchase from Crochetgoa. The company makes knit dresses, and religious artefacts as well as table linen and more. (Crochetgoa, Mapusa)
Papier Mache
Waste paper is transformed into everyday objects, reducing the state’s environmental footprint, while also creating useful objects. Jewellery boxes, wall hangings, pen stands and flower vases are some of the objects you can find made using this technique.
Visit Goa government’s network of Aparant stores to buy local handicrafts. For more information log on to the website
