The artist : Pierre Vanherck
The first time Pierre Vanherck put his hands on a wood lathe, he was surprised to make the good gestures of a profession that no one has taught him. Soon, he realized his first cane. An expert told him that is was de bonne facture (polished work). It is a revelation for him. In the stock acquired at the same time as his machines, a piece of wood draws his attention – a small voice tells him not to cut it up to make pens. Having taken information, he learns that it is a precious wood from the 19th century destinated for prestigious canes. This is a first challenge that he is pleased to take up: to warp this piece of wood that no one dared to touch for more that 150 years.
He does not stop there, the reverse is the case. Before leaving his job for his wood passion and the freedom to create, Pierre Vanherck was an electromechanical engineer in a research center. He developed software programs to measure the expansion coefficient of building materials.
What makes him vibrate is the magic that happens when the piece of wood is on the lathe and offers its color when it reveals itself. In a few seconds, a piece of wood destinated to be burnt can take a whole new turn to become a work of art. If Pierre Vanherck “dreams” his creations, he realizes them almost in the moment and each part amazes him as it is born under his fingers, even before he has finished imagining them. Creation takes over thought. The story will be written afterwards.
What motivates him, beyond this pleasure, is to go beyond the limits and realize what seems impossible to create what never happened before: harmoniously and aesthetically assemble materials that by the laws of physics cannot be. After months of research, locked in his workshop to test metal combinations and wood resistance, Pierre Vanherck invented the formula – of which he keeps the secret – to cast metal in the piece of wood while preserving it.
This unique feat is his great renown today. He added another: to set precious stones and diamonds in handles, trumpets and shafts of canes. He considers himself “lucky” to be able to combine wood and precious stones from all over the world from his workshop in the village of Lillois (Belgium). Nothing stops him. He reinvents the system-canes, integrates an authentication chip, …
In the meantime, recognitions arrive. One of them still surprises him: in 2009, he realized the cane for Pope Benedict XVI.
The manufactory
• 2000, his work was recognized by the Walloon Brabant Arts and Craft Agency.
• In 2006, Pierre Vanherck has his brand registered under the name Pierre Création and had his designs recognized as registered trademarks. During the same year, he won “La Vitrine de l’artisan” contest.
• 2009 came to a close with a very special honour: Pierre Vanherck creates a prestigious cane to be presented to Pope Benedict XVI during the Christmas festivities held in Rome.
• 2012 was more of a transition year. With growing international demand and opportunities to partner with other brands, Pierre Vanherck was encouraged to develop his new brand name, Pierre Vanherck ®, and proposing ever more exclusive canes.
• In 2014, the design of such majestic canes continues to evolve where the only limit is imagination.
• In 2015, creation of the first olfactory cane: here
• In 2017, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the Palais de Justice in Brussels and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Poelaert. Larcier and Meta-Morphosis Editions asked Pierre Vanherck to create a “stick of justice”. This was offered and delivered by Pierre Vanherck to the judicial authorities of the Brussels Palace of Justice on September 1, 2017
• In 2018, Pierre Vanherck is the laureate from the 2018 Champagne Award.
This award was given by Thibaut Le Mailloux, Communication Director of the Champagne Committee on proposal of the Benelux Champagne Office.
The Champagne Award is a prestigious recognition awarded in several countries worldwide including Belgium.
On this occasion a prestige cane was created on the theme of Champagne: here.
• In 2019, creation of the first microchips cane. This technology not only certifies the origin of the materials that make up the works, but also authenticates them. This as creations imagined and produced entirely in Belgium. This traceability makes these canes unique, exclusive and non-reproducible. See Certificat(e) page.
• In 2020 – 2021,Artist and craftsman, creator of exceptional canes for 17 years, Pierre Vanherck took advantage of this lockdown period to take art out of its frame and the cane out of its traditional use and create “Mysteries of Creation”. Rarity of precious stones and woods, technical prowess and poetry are the essence of these exclusive and original works. Pierre Vanherck invite you to discover the first triptych of “Art comes out of its frame” here : Contemporary Art
• In 2021, Maison Pierre Vanherck has entered the digital age and more specifically the Blockchain age. On request, the authenticity certificate of a work, has its digital copy registered in the blockchain. The inscription of the BAP (Biometric Art Passport) in the blockchain makes it possible to create a verifiable, unique, indestructible and inviolable link between the physical work and the digital work. Thanks to this, the DNA of the work registered in the blockchain is made unfalsifiable.
See our NFT page: here
• In 2022, Maison Pierre Vanherck is part of the Artisans recommended and recognized Master Craftsman by the Prestigious Foundation Michel Angelo of Geneva.
From now on you will find our page in the Homo Faber Guide : here
This guide aims to promote the excellence of craftsmanship throughout Europe by referencing artisans who excel in their fields.
• 2022 – 2023, Maison Pierre Vanherck creates the Da Vinci Collection. The Da Vinci collection pushes the boundaries of design even further.
Each cane is equipped with a Cryptex. The Cryptex is a neologism used by Dan Brown in his novel The Da Vinci Code to designate a kind of portable safe.
The term comes from the combination of the words cryptology and codex.
Each of the works has its own enigma, and solving it will reveal the code that gives you access to the secret.
• 2023 – 2024, As a result of the meeting between the Belgian Cheetahs, Carole Bam (their coach), Cynthia Bolingo, Hanne Claes and Maison Pierre Vanherck, “As a team we canne” was born: a prestige cane in the colours of Belgium, inspired by the 4X400 metres relay event and personalised by each of the sportswomen.
Maison Pierre Vanherck is proud to present the fruit of this meeting and supports the Cheetahs team for this edition of the 2024 Olympics.
• 2025, From Brussels, with Passion. A crazy idea. A unique work of art. Three words: Brussels, football, fries.
But behind this creation, there is a story. The surreal encounter of several deeply Belgian worlds.
To design this exceptional masterpiece, Pierre Vanherck had the honor of collaborating with Patrick De Corte, heir to a fairground dynasty and master of the Belgian fry (frite), and Anthony Vanden Borre, former Red Devil (Belgian national football player) and icon of Belgian football.
It is Brussels, their native city, that brings them together in this cane. Their history and their passion have merged to bring this prestigious cane to life.
Between the luxury of a collector’s item and the poetry of the absurd, every detail makes this work an object of absolute rarity.
It is the very essence of Belgian surrealism: a precious and absurd object that celebrates the ordinary in an extraordinary way.
Our mission is to create timeless luxury accessories
Our mission is to create unique and timeless accessories
Sustainability
All our products are designed and manufactured in Belgium, our suppliers are selected based on their work excellence. All the wood we are using is carefully selected and registered with CITES*.
*Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Excellence
We master particular techniques allowing us to combine precious woods & metals.
All our products are entirely handmade.
There is no quality compromise, this is why all our products are guaranteed for life.
Passion
For more than 20 years, Pierre Vanherck designed and manufactured unique & timeless accessories
The excellence of handmade allows him to highlight the uniqueness of the created works.
Contemporary, rare and distinguished canes give the word “Elegance” a new and modern meaning.
Workshop
Then, they are worked by contemporary techniques whilst still respecting ancestral methods.
Opening hours of the manufactory
Monday to Thursday and Saturday morning by appointment.
– Friday: open doors, from 2pm to 5pm.
All information on our Contact us page
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