The creation of each piece starts with an idea put down first on a drawing. Then, the outlines of the drawing are traced on a thin sheet of metal, and pushed by hand with very fine tools to give it shape. A foam padding is used to support the work in process and to protect the relief slowly taking shape.
It requires meticulous patience and tedious work to achieve near perfection, with the added difficulty of being able to see the work on reverse and in 3 dimensions.
To learn and master such a skill requires years of apprenticeship, which would explain partly the slow disappearance of this art.
We, the Gilles family, since the death of our father in 1979, carry on the workmanship with the same tradition of excellence!
The art of metal "Repoussé" (embossing) , is slowly disappearing, even in Europe where the fine arts traditions are still vivid. These facts enhance the uniqueness of the exposition we present to the public.
