For Sale: Domestic Objects of Culture!

Do you enjoy window-shopping? And just to avoid confusion, that doesn't mean buying architectural components of a house or building. Instead, it specifically refers to the mere act of physically browsing various products inside a store without the intent of purchasing them. Clear? At least that's how hard-core shoppers call it nowadays. Otherwise, do you have an alternative term?

Remember the times when you were window-shopping inside a mall and all of a sudden, you stumbled upon a plethora of irresistible items that simply couldn't be overlooked?

Depending on your personal interests, they could essentially be anything under the sun. However, for my individual taste, I happen to be attracted to interesting merchandise that embody an artistic flair and are meticulously handcrafted by expert creatives.

One sunny afternoon, as I was visiting a popular boutique shopping center, I came across dozens of cultural artifacts. A vast section of that mall’s ground floor housed these interesting commodities as far as the eyes can see.

Most of the products on display were composed entirely of wood. Yet, there were a few pieces that had clever mixtures of metals, plastic, or an alloy of composite elements. What truly astonished me was the fact that these items on sale were not only gorgeous works of art, but also creative representations of the country's local culture. They depicted tribal motifs, vernacular symbols, and other forms of ethnic-inspired designs. Without a doubt, it was certainly a tremendous treat for the senses!

If you viewed these wonderful collections at close range, you'll be amazed at the tremendous amount of effort invested in producing these highly detailed masterpieces. It was obvious that so much care and dedication was involved during their production process. I wondered how long it took for these artisans, craftsmen, and artists to complete just a single piece? Hmm…perhaps I should have asked the sellers myself when I was here because I totally forgot it!

Depending on the level of intricacy, there were plenty of amazing handicrafts that tested the manufacturing skills of their creators. For instance, the tiny wooden joints that assembled the crucial components of these artifacts. I could immediately tell their complexity because I had extensive experience on producing these distinctive artifacts myself many years ago. Although the elaborate process of crafting these different products was a challenge, it turned out to be a satisfying endeavor in the end.

In terms of the varieties of handicrafts up for grabs in that shopping center’s marketplace, there was a massive selection to choose from. You name it - there were furniture, jewelry boxes, framed artworks, coin piggy banks, vases, clocks, bags, figurines, magnetic decors, chess sets, font art, large chests, musical instruments, swords and knives, wall frames, light fixtures, bronze gongs, colorful carpets, kitchenware, storage cabinets, sculptural pieces, and so much more! The list goes on…

My personal favorites were the wooden creatures of the sky such as the vibrant Sarimanok (a mythical bird derived from the Maranao tribe of Mindanao) with their overflowing colors, and of course the Monkey-eating Eagle (the national bird of the Philippines) with their massive wingspans and majestic characters. These handmade animals were available in various sizes and elaborateness of sculptural profiles.

I was supposed to buy one of these beautiful wooden carvings, unfortunately my budget was limited, hence I had to pass. Better luck next time!

Nevertheless, my entire window-shopping experience in that special area of the mall was fruitful. And despite not having purchased anything, it served as a wake-up call for me to come back in the future and eventually own that marvelous sculpture that symbolized the cultural pride of the nation.

In case you're traveling to Davao City in the Philippines, take time to drop by the Poblacion Market Central, an incredible architectural marvel where you can find these lovely handicrafts. Who knows, you might end up becoming one truly happy customer?!

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