Promoting French and European Luxury

France's Culture Minister Franck Riester has recently presented the insignia of 'Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters' (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) to ten luxury artisans working in the houses of the Comité Colbert. Created in 1954 by Jean-Jacques Guerlain, the Comité Colbert brings together French luxury houses, cultural institutions and European members. Since 2006, it has been working for the distinction of craftsmen in fourteen categories, amongst them: porcelain, gastronomy, silver and bronze, haute couture and fashion. More than fifty artisans have been conferred knights of the Order, in fourteen years.

'Since 2006, the Ministry of Culture has honoured artisans, with exceptional know-how, of the Comité Colbert's member houses. This year again, I am proud to recognise new artisans, in order to salute their invaluable contribution to the promotion of French culture and heritage. This recognition also underlines their essential role in transmitting to the younger generation' declared Franck Riester.

Amongst the ten craftsmen awarded in 2020 were  three European artists from Greece (Zolotas Jewellery), the Czech Republic (Moser Glasswork) and Hungary (Herend Porcelain). Ákos Tamás, Herend designer and porcelain artist was recognised for his expertise. And this was not his first distinction. The Hungarian artist has already received several awards both in his country and overseas.

A Porcelain Expert 

Born in Szentgál in 1954, Ákos Tamás' skills for sculpture manifested in his childhood. He thus decided to study drawing at The György Thuri Secondary School in Várpalota. He then studied at  the Porcelain faculty of the Hungarian University of Design in Budapest, where he graduated in 1977. Since then, Ákos Tamás has been a designer and applied artist of the Herend Porcelain Manufactory.

Besides his traditional, classical sculptures and sets, Ákos Tamás has developed a completely new porcelain style using unique techniques with delicate, pastel-coloured porcelain layers. His translucent petal bowls, coloured inlaid vases, unique ornaments and lamps quickly became popular, mainly in Italy, Greece and Switzerland. He has created pieces in almost every porcelain genre and size, from miniature medals to surreal figurine collages and several-meter-high sculptures. Many of his works of art are held in public collections such as the Museum of Applied Arts in Budapest and institutions in Germany, South Korea and Japan.