Thomas Brac de la Perrière

Engraver

©Thomas Brac de La Perrière

©Erwan Kerneur

©Thomas Brac de La Perrière

The ornamental engraver

Thomas masters hand engraving and micro sculpture
He worked with an art dial maker in Geneva
There are more than 2,000 tools in his workshop

Thomas Brac de la Perrière is a heraldic engraver. He opened his workshop in 2018 after working in jewellery and watchmaking for 12 years. He decorates and restores baptism medals, engagement rings, wedding rings, signet rings, watches, and musical instruments. Having trained as a designer at the École Émile Cohl in Lyon, he specialised at the prestigious École Boulle in Paris as an ornamental engraver, Thomas can now claim the dual competence of designer and engraver. Between the responsibility of perpetuating a centuries-old heritage and mastering cutting-edge technological tools, he harmoniously combines past and future through his chosen craft.

Interview

©Erwan Kerneur

©Thomas Brac de La Perrière

When did you decide to become an engraver?: I met, somewhat by chance, a heraldic engraver in Lyon who shared his passion with me. I was immediately taken by the multiple aspects of this profession: the creative dimension, the contact with materials, the diversity of possible applications and the history behind the objects produced.
How do you combine tradition and innovation in your work?: I am very familiar with modern tools such as the laser machine, 3D printing and 2D-3D computer graphics, which allow me to meet the demands of my customers. I use both digital and traditional tools when designing objects. I also seek to modernise my craft by proposing different uses of traditional savoir-faire.
What is a memorable moment in your professional life?: I’ve had the chance to work on many beautiful and exceptional pieces, but I will always remember the emotion I felt the first time I discovered a singing bird music box that I was asked to engrave. Seeing this mechanical bird move so subtly, so delicately, was magical. It is this emotion that I wish to share today through the objects I work on.
What do you enjoy most about engraving?: Participating every day in the creation and personalisation of a new object that has meaning for its future owner. These objects are destined to last, to cross generations, to be passed on, to carry a memory. I also appreciate the collaborations and meetings that my profession offers.

Thomas Brac de la Perrière is a master artisan: he began his career in 2007 and he started teaching in 2018