1. A slave with a specific skill: In some historical contexts, slaves might have been specialized in certain trades like carpentry, blacksmithing, or pottery. They might have been chosen for these skills, or they might have learned them while enslaved.
2. A slave who was used for their labor: In this context, the term "artisan" might be used to describe a slave who worked in a trade, regardless of their skill level. They might have been forced to learn a trade or used for their manual labor in a workshop or factory.
3. A slave who was valued for their skill: Some slave owners might have recognized the value of a slave's skills and allowed them some autonomy or even a share of the profits generated from their work. However, this was not the norm, and even in these cases, the slave was still subject to the owner's control.
It's essential to avoid romanticizing or minimizing the experience of slavery. Even if a slave possessed a specific skill or was used in a specialized trade, they were still denied basic human rights, freedom, and the fruits of their labor.
To understand the term "artisan slave" better, you need to consider the specific historical context and the source of the information.