Final answer:
A skilled craftsperson who makes products like weapons and jewelry is known as an artisan. They possessed specialized skills in their crafts, were essential to their societies, and their craftsmanship was often recognized and valued, especially in historical contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
A skilled craftsperson who makes products such as weapons and jewelry is traditionally known as an artisan. In historical contexts, these artisans were highly skilled individuals who often specialized in a single craft or material, creating finely crafted items using their expertise. For instance, silversmiths in colonial times were revered as artists and created intricate items for those who could afford such luxuries.
Artisans played significant roles in various societies throughout history. They could work privately, creating goods like ale, silk clothing, and pottery, or in state-run workshops focusing on luxury goods such as silk and lacquerware. Artisans, in crafting their products, contributed significantly to the economy and the spread of culture, especially through trade. Their skills were specialize and often passed down through generations, making them critical figures in their societies.
The recognition of an artisan's skill was apparent, especially when it came to significant items like weapons. The names of some of those weapons makers were inscribed on the items they created, signifying the value placed on their craftsmanship. Artisans producing jewelry, for example, used complex techniques to cater to the status and tastes of the upper classes, enhancing their social standing through the opulence of their creations.