MANUFACTUM, book about Belgian craftsmanship – made by hand

I feel very honored to let you know that Lefèvre Interiors is one of the 20 companies, featured in the brand new Belgian publication ‘MANUFACTUM’, a book about craftsmanship in Belgium.

The author Dirk De Moor and the photographer Philippe Debeerst depicted and wrote about the twenty surprising stories of craftsmen and women behind 20 Belgian companies who still work according to traditional methods, having a passion for their trade. About what drove them to practice a certain craft, and the skills needed, about the trade itself. But also about their materials or tools, and the years gaining knowledge and experience. They learnt that artisan crafts definitely have a place in the economy and society. With the artists’ continued passion as the driving force. And they won’t stop until they have reached perfection. No compromises.

20 Belgian craftsmen and women, each with their own unique specialty, made by hand.

PATRICK DAMIAENS, Wood carving; JOHAN DE PUNT, Millwrighting; STEVEN & BRECHT DUJARDYN, Artisan ironwork; FANNY JEAN, Furniture upholstery & embellishments; LUC MESTDAGH, INGRID MEYVAERT & KATRIEN MESTDAGH, Stained glass windows; ANGEL BARRERO, Stucco marble & scagliola; DANIEL, ALAIN, JEAN-LUC, FABIENNE & LUDOVIC MENCHIOR, Plaster ornaments; CHRIS MAENE, Piano building; JAN DENIE & GREET LEFEVRE, Solid wood panelling; YVAN MAES DE WIT, Conservation of tapestries; LUCIA DEKNUDT, Lampshades; JIMMY DE CLERCQ & DIMITRI GINSBERG, Art foundry; PAUL & JAN VAN ACHTER, Copper pots and pans; FREDERIK KNOCKAERT, Art restoration; LUT DE PAEPE & FREDERIC POPPE, Gilt leather; BERT DE VYLDER, Organ building; WALTER QUIREYNS, Sculptures & stonemasonry; NINO TONDAT, Terrazo & intarsio; DIEDERIK WILLEM VANDERHEYDEN, Fine art paintings; RALPH BAGGALEY, Leather crafts

Cover MANUFACTUM

The presentation of ‘MANUFACTUM’ took place Thursday December 11, in the unique historical building of The Royal Manufacturers De Wit in Mechelen, also featured in this book.

The Royal Manufacturers (founded in 1889) cleans, conserves and restores tapestries. Today, it is the leading tapestry restorer in the world for museums and one of the leading laboratories for private customers. Yvan Maes De Wit, the present director, represents the fourth generation of tapestry weavers and restorers.

Book presentation

Jan and me, together with the photographer Philippe De Beerst (left) and author Dirk De Moor.

A special thank you to Patrick Damiaens.

A lot of you, my readers, might have heard of and read about the beautiful work of our renowned Belgian ornamental woodcarver Patrick Damiaens, who is also the author of the blog Ornamentsnijder – Patrick Damiaens. Patrick is incredibly passionate about traditional high-quality craftsmanship and he inspired and assisted the publishers in sourcing the best craftsmen to feature in ‘MANUFACTUM’ to guarantee the quality of the book. We are very thankful to Patrick for his considerable contribution to the realization of this book.

Patrick Damiaens at work   Source Blog Patrick Damiaens

 Lefèvre Interiors – One of the pages, featuring our company in ‘Manufactum’

Photographer Philippe Debeerst illustrated this book with gorgeous taken pictures of all craftsmen and women at work. Giving splendour to the book !

Here are a few photos Philippe took in our workshop.

Workshop Lefèvre Interiors   Photo credit Philippe Debeerst

Workshop Lefèvre Interiors   Photo credit Philippe Debeerst

Workshop Lefèvre Interiors   Photo credit Philippe Debeerst

Workshop Lefèvre Interiors   Photo credit Philippe Debeerst

MANUFACTUM is available in English/French and in Dutch/French.

Manufactum, 20 crafts in the spotlight – 20 métiers à l’honneur  Dirk De Moor, Philippe Debeerst 

English-FrenchHardcover ISBN 978-94-6161-195-6

Manufactum, 20 ambachten in de kijker – 20 métiers à l’honneur  Dirk De Moor, Philippe Debeerst

Dutch-FrenchHardcover ISBN 978-94-6161-188-8

MANUFACTUM

Snoeck Publishers Belgium

To order, please click HERE.

xx

Greet