INTERVIEW
the safeguarding, development and promotion of trade and crafts. This law has since been amended several times. Sébastien completed an apprenticeship within
the Maître d’art programme while working at Maison Michel, under the tutelage of Pierre Debard. Later, he tried to have Tino Ré appointed as Master of Art, but both his attempts failed. “The civil servants of the Ministry of Culture claimed that the work of a block maker wasn’t creative,” he recalls. “They clearly had no idea what it entailed, and nobody from the ministry ever bothered to visit the workshop.” Furthermore, in order to be recognised, a craft has to be documented; at the time, nothing was available in either written or video form. Fortunately, things have changed, and the profession of block maker is now listed on the register of 'Metiers d’art'(art professions).* Once accepted, it is up to a Master to put in place a training programme for an apprentice for the duration of three years. The Master will receive a grant to help cover the costs. Sébastien, himself awarded the title Master
of Art, took on a student enrolled under the conditions of this programme. Sadly, the student did not complete the three-year programme, and so the block maker’s efforts and the ministry’s investment here were done in vain. Determined
“I mainly use linden wood. Linden has an
even grain density which, when
sanded, allows you to obtain a really smooth surface”
to pass on his expertise, he recently welcomed Carla, a young woman with a background in carpentry, to his workshop. She has started work as an self-employed artisan with much enthusiasm. She will
be gradually helping him with the production of both hats and blocks while learning all the secrets of the craft.
More information
www.atelierduformier.com
* A video of Sébastien Tessier at work can be found here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=blqhrMcahw0&feature=
youtu.be
november 2025 | 25 Brim pressing tool using large sandbag
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102
