Born in Lyon, Isabelle Ferlay studied painting at the École des beaux-arts in her native city in 1940, before continuing her studies in Marseille. Developing an interest in ceramics, she earned a turner’s diploma at the École nationale de Fontcarade in Montpellier, and completed her training with an internship under Christiane d’Estienne in Paris. Frédérique Bourguet followed a similar path: after studying at the École des beaux-arts in Montpellier, she joined the workshop of Françoise Bizette in Sèvres. While looking for a thrower, Frédérique Bourguet met Isabelle Ferlay, and the two settled in Vallauris in 1953, where they opened a workshop at 55 avenue Georges-Clemenceau. Together, they produced small-scale everyday works in grogged earthenware, including mirrors and soup tureens. Les Argonautes took part in the first International Ceramics Exhibition in Cannes in 1955, and in the Vallauris Biennale in 1970. In 1970, the two ceramists began to turn their research toward stoneware.