Lise Rathonie – Metal art enameller

Nouvelle-Aquitaine – 1983

As a second-generation art enameller on metal, Lise Rathonie carries on her family’s tradition. After attending the Beaux-Arts in Poitiers, she dedicated herself in 2006 to reviving and modernizing this ancestral heritage. With her vocational diploma secured, she launched her workshop-gallery in Limoges in 2007.

Captivated by molten enamel, the magic of firing, and the beauty of nature, Lise meticulously reinterprets colors, structures, and light. Her precise technique, sometimes involving up to 30 firings for a single piece, allows Lise to craft singular works of art for private clients, collectors, designers, architects, and galleries.

Research and innovation

Lise Rathonie distinguishes herself through a groundbreaking vision of metal enameling. She masterfully combines ancestral know-how with advanced industrial processes, specifically integrating laser cutting and photogravure. This approach allows her to push the boundaries of her craft, working with a variety of metals such as copper, silver, brass, and bronze.

Deeply committed to an eco-responsible approach, Lise prioritizes the use of mostly recyclable raw materials. Her main supplier is Cristallerie Saint-Paul, a French manufacturer unique in its ability to transform enamel waste back into new raw materials. For her metal needs, she relies on French suppliers and partners with local companies for laser cutting and photoengraving. Furthermore, she utilizes modern, low-consumption ovens and crafts durable, repairable objects, thereby solidifying her dedication to eco-responsible manufacturing.

Transmission

Committed to the revitalization of art enamel, Lise held the dual responsibilities of President of the French Professional Enamellers’ Union (SPEF) from 2016 to 2026 and Vice-President of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of Haute-Vienne (France).

Actively involved in pedagogical programs, she supervises vocational trainees and delivers instruction at several training institutions. A key figure in the inclusion of enamel on metal in the Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019, she also established the “Enamel, Metal, Fire” network in 2024 to promote this craft. Her professional engagement earned her a nomination as a Knight of the National Order of Merit in 2023 and her integration into the Grands Ateliers de France in the same year.

Lise Rathonie asked support from the Fondation Rémy Cointreau for the acquisition of a welding table and a muffle furnace. This new oven, with its wide opening, will not only decrease energy consumption by ninety percent but also enable her to explore the creation of larger-volume pieces.