Our Story
The story of how two French brothers revived a lost art in the heart of Cambodia
The Journey
1974
Eric Stocker begins his training under Pierre Bobot, master lacquer restorer. He learns the ancestral techniques of lacquer, gilding, polychrome, and marquetry — skills that would define his life's work.
1980s–1990s
Decades as an artisan restorer for the Louvre and other French national institutions. Eric specializes in lacquer restoration, gilding, and polychrome — working on museum-grade antique furniture and decorative objects.
He becomes a Compagnon du Devoir — a member of one of France's most prestigious artisan guilds, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages.
1998
Invited by the European Union to join an arts and crafts revival program, Eric arrives in Cambodia and discovers the ancient Khmer lacquerwork tradition — over 1,000 years old.
The Khmer Rouge had destroyed nearly all artistic heritage. No living artisans knew the traditional techniques. The art was on the brink of extinction.
1998–2008
In partnership with Krousar Thmey NGO, Eric trains tree bleeders to harvest natural lacquer sustainably from Cambodian forests.
Over the next decade, he trains more than 350 deaf Cambodian youths in lacquer arts — rebuilding the entire craft tradition from scratch, one artisan at a time.
2008
Joined by his brother Thierry, Eric opens his own workshop in Siem Reap. Together, they create collections inspired by nature — developing unique textures: vegetal, mineral, and animal.
Rye straw marquetry, eggshell mosaic, stingray skin, carp skin, gold leaf, copper leaf — the workshop becomes a laboratory of texture and beauty.
2019
Eric wins the Trophee des Francais de l'Etranger in the Culture & Art de Vivre category, awarded by Courrier International at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris.
The award recognizes French citizens abroad who make outstanding contributions to culture — a testament to Eric's lifelong dedication to preserving and reinventing lacquer arts.
Today
Over 70% of the workshop's artisans are deaf — skilled craftspeople trained from the ground up. Stocker Studio is the only workshop in Cambodia using real natural vegetal lacquer.
The studio maintains its own lacquer tree plantation, and its pieces can be found in Sofitel, Park Hyatt, Raffles, and private collections worldwide.
The Master
"A piece of lacquerwork should be more than an object. It should carry the soul of the craft and the hands that made it."
With over 47 years of mastery, Eric Stocker is one of the world's foremost lacquer artisans. Trained in France under Pierre Bobot, he spent decades restoring masterworks at the Louvre and other French national museums before bringing his expertise to Cambodia.
As a Compagnon du Devoir, Eric carries a tradition of excellence that stretches back centuries. His rare combination of French restoration mastery and deep understanding of Khmer lacquer tradition makes him a singular figure in the world of decorative arts.
Today, Eric personally oversees every piece that leaves the workshop — from concept to final polish. He also offers expert restoration and conservation services for antique lacquerware, gilded furniture, and museum pieces.
L'Atelier
Le Toucher du Maître
The Master's Touch
"Each piece passes through the hands of our artisans — trained over a decade in techniques nearly lost to history. Over 70% are deaf, communicating through gesture and craft. Their silence becomes art."Eric Stocker
Social Mission
Since 1998, Eric Stocker has worked in partnership with Krousar Thmey — Cambodia's leading NGO for deaf and blind children — to train deaf youths in the art of lacquerwork.
What began as a training program has become a model of social enterprise. Today, over 70% of the workshop's artisans are deaf — not as charity, but as skilled professionals who produce some of the finest lacquerwork in Southeast Asia.
Every piece you purchase directly supports the livelihood and dignity of these remarkable artisans and their families.
350+
Artisans Trained
70%+
Deaf Artisans
26
Years of Partnership
1
Mission: Dignity Through Craft
Press & Recognition
Visit us in Siem Reap for a free personal tour. Watch the artisans at work, learn the techniques, and discover pieces you won't find anywhere else.
