These manifestations also include some trades reminiscent of a rural past and other traditional artistic expression (such as clay pottery and figurines, basket-weaving, saddlery, weaving, ceramics and tin work), as well as creations of a contemporary nature, incorporating innovation, creativity and artistic skill. In short, traditional trades and handicrafts of a contemporary (or urban) nature are two distinct realities, which however complement each other in the current context of handicrafts from the municipality.

Formerly, small industries and workshops proliferated throughout the region, which went hand in hand with certain domestic activities for commercial purposes, such as the production of fresh cheese, bread (the famous Mafra Bread) and also manual work executed at home: embroidery, sewing or patchwork.

With the modernisation of the agricultural sector due to the adoption of new technologies, the introduction of new crops and production processes, life in the small rural communities underwent profound change, and the last few decades have witnessed a drop in agricultural activity and the gradual abandonment of the fields, with the subsequent decline in a large part of the traditional trades. In Mafra Municipality, however, there are still significant cases of resistance, combined with adaptation to the new markets – as is the case with pottery, saddlery, basket-weaving, weaving and tin work.

Furthermore, the phenomenon of contemporary handicrafts is has to be linked to adoption of new lifestyles. Thus, alternative expressions are beginning to emerge of the artisanal trades (although many of them may be inspired by the latter), but in which the artisans are open to other influences. In these forms, the decorative aspect surpasses the utility value of the object and creativity takes on a different dimension.