Hervé Obligi: Fine Stones and the Art of Glyptics

The Art of Glyptics: Engraving Fine Stones

C’est avec un sourire chaleureux qu’Hervé Obligi nous accueille dans son atelier de Montreuil. Ayant travaillé plus de 40 ans les pierres fines, Hervé Obligi est titré Maître d’Art (titre décerné par le ministère de la culture) dans la technique de la glyptique. Ébéniste de formation, il abandonne le bois au profit de la pierre pour commencer à travailler les pierres fines avec Claude Durand. Ce dernier va lui permettre de faire ses premières armes avec les plus grandes maisons de luxe notamment Cartier.

Hervé Obligi, Table Horizon in rock crystal, paesina, gold, and oxidized steel base

Glyptics: A Dying Art

Glyptics, the art of engraving fine stones, is an ancient craft dating back to Ancient Egypt, around 5000 BC. Stone marquetry, in particular, flourished in 17th-century Tuscany, Italy. Today, Hervé is one of the few artisans in France who still masters the art of stone marquetry. In 2015, the French Ministry of Culture honored him with the title of Maître d’Art.

Hervé Obligi, Golden Calf, rock crystal, tiger iron, hematite, solid gold, and slate base

From Watchmaking to Artistic Creation

Hervé initially applied his skills in fine stonework for luxury watchmakers such as Piaget, using lapidary and marquetry techniques for watch dials and fine jewelry, where precision stone cutting is essential.

Today, Hervé balances his time between personal artistic creation and fulfilling commissions for luxury houses. In his workshop, ongoing projects showcase his expertise in furniture design and fine stone paintings for major jewelry houses, allowing him to fully express his artistry.

Caractères Paris, November 20, 2019

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