Camille Gras

Camille Orfèvre

Silversmith

Couloir3.com©Paul Lesourd

©Camille Orfèvre

Precious style

Camille is one of the last silversmiths in Paris
His atelier was labelled Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant
He works for luxury houses and private clients

Camille Gras learned the art of silversmithing in Florence and Paris. His experience in these two cities, both renowned for their distinctive know-how in this field, has allowed him to acquire an impressive knowledge. Located in the old silversmith’s district of Paris, Camille has managed to set his own workshop by collecting materials from former silversmiths over time, many of his tools are over a century old. From jewellery to tableware, he restores or creates pieces in solid silver and silver metals; the French savoir-faire being reflected in the precision of his gesture. Camille particularly loves to challenge his skills, he works on prototypes for designers, architects and artists; there are always solutions to be found, as his motto goes.

Interview

©Ingrid Bailleul

©Magali Perruchini

Do you remember the moment you decided to become a silversmith?: A goldsmith friend urged me to pursue this path. He must have noticed some abilities in me. He passed on to me his love of the craft and taught me to see its potential. You can do whatever you want with metal, there are always solutions to a problem.
Does your workshop specialise in any particular technique?: It is rare to find a single structure that brings together all the silversmith's trades. At my level, I try to do everything in-house: polishing, welding, metal shaping, you name it, we'll do it! We are the last workshop in Paris to work on the cutlery, making silver knives with a hollow handle.
What do you particularly enjoy about silversmithing?: Its diversity: never doing the same thing and the diversity of metals. I also enjoy taking on new projects: designing, thinking, trying to find the best possible solutions that will suit the customer's idea. These kinds of exciting projects occupy my mind 24 hours a day.
How does silversmithing relate to where you work?: We make pieces for dinners and christenings – many major life events. Our work is tightly linked to Catholic culture. But traditions change and so does our work. For example, wedding lists are no longer part of our demand. These days our clients are mainly antique dealers or collectors.

Camille Gras is a master artisan: he began his career in 2000 and he started teaching in 2012