The fabulous Chaoshan handicrafts enjoy high reputation both at home and abroad. As early as in the Neolithic Age, Chaoshan had developed the techniques for producing stoneware and ceramics. In the Eastern Zhou Dynasty, Chaoshan took the lead in Guangdong area in terms of crafts related to ceramic modeling, glazing, jade ware, woodwork, and bronze ware. In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Chaoshan developed its own characteristic celadon glaze technique as well as copper and iron casting techniques, and produced gold and silver ornaments with distinctive local features. In the Song and Yuan Dynasties, jade ware, woodcarving works and ceramics were massively produced, among which there were a lot of fine works. The diversity and workmanship of the handicrafts at that time were favored by collectors both at home and abroad, which greatly boosted export trade as a result. The Ming and Qing Dynasties saw the prosperity of Chaoshan handicrafts. A lot of fine local handicrafts were passed on. The niche table and the three-dimensional sculpture Golden Tope in Chaoshan Kaiyuan Temple as well as jade ware such as snuff bottles, jade stamps, hair pins, Huaigu and Ruyi were some of the masterpieces from that period.
Chaoshan folk flower lanterns, mosaic ceramics, perfume bags, clay sculptures, paper cuts and jewelry are all packed with local features, and have always been indispensable seasonal ornaments in official and folk occasions. Through thousand years of development, Chaoshan handicrafts have absorbed both Chinese and foreign artistic essences and evolved its own artistic features with distinctive local styles. Many experts and scholars at home and abroad have noted that Chaoshan handicrafts not only inherit the essence of central plain culture, but also demonstrate vivid local characteristics.
Chaoshan handicrafts are made by Chaoshan people with local materials to meet their needs in production and living, demonstrating their own aesthetical perspectives and amazing originality.

             Source: Shantou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, TV, Press and Publication

　　潮汕地区的工艺美术源远流长，如花似锦，驰名中外。早在新石器时代，潮汕就已经有了石器和陶器的生产工艺，到了东周时期，潮汕的陶瓷造型和施釉工艺，玉器、木器、青铜器工艺，已具有广东先进水平。东晋时期，青瓷、铜铁冶铸工艺，特别是金银饰品工艺，已形成较强的地方特色。宋元两代，玉石木雕刻、陶瓷生产规模很大，而且出了不少珍品，产品种类，技艺水平，受到中外人士的青睐，出口贸易得到了长足的发展。明清是潮汕工艺美术的鼎盛时期，大批工艺美术精品遗存于世，潮汕开元寺大殿龛桌和圆雕《金千佛塔》以及玉雕产品鼻烟壶、玉印、头插、怀古、如意等，令人拍案叫绝。
　　潮汕民间的花灯、嵌瓷、香包、泥塑、剪纸、首饰等，都富有地方特色，驰名中外，成为官民人等不可或缺的装饰品和时节应用品。潮汕工艺美术经过千百年的精炼，融汇中外，推陈出新，自成流派，形成鲜明、浓郁的地方艺术风格。中国许多专家学者对此有精辟的论述。潮汕工艺既有中原文化的承传性、原发性，又有鲜明的地域特征。
　　潮汕工艺品是潮汕人民为了满足自己生产、生活的需要，按照自己的审美观，就地取材制作出来，常常表现出它的独创性，令人拍案叫绝。