Celebrated as the “poetess of metal” by Vogue magazine, designer Line Vautrin’s provocative works, which span furniture and jewelry, are characterized by fanciful forms and technical excellence. An audacious decorative artist and intellectual during a time when women were expected to fall into traditional roles, her inspirational designs show her passion for literature, wordplay and mythological allegory.
Born in 1914, Vautrin possessed a sense of curiosity and keen observational skills that led her to start creating at an early age. A talented autodidact, she taught herself to work with metal while spending time in her family’s bronze foundry. Vautrin had already mastered the skills of casting, carving, gilding and polishing bronze by the time she was in her early teens, and introduced her first line of jewelry when she was only twenty years old, offering her unique brooches, belt clasps and buttons to a select group of customers. In 1937, Vautrin helmed a small booth at the Paris International Exposition, where she gained some notoriety for her handcrafted accessories. Around the same time, Vautrin worked briefly for Elsa Schiaparelli, a like-minded fashion designer whose achievements propelled her onto the cover of Time magazine in 1934.
Vautrin opened a modest boutique near the Champs-Élysées in the late 1930s. During World War II, she created playful and sophisticated necklaces, powder boxes, earrings and other items that gave her clientele a welcome respite from wartime hardships. There was great demand for Vautrin’s work, and she opened a larger shop on rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in 1946. Shortly thereafter, she opened her own atelier in Paris’s then run-down Marais district with her husband, interior decorator Jacques Armand Bonnaud. The neighborhood would later become world-famous for its boutiques and designer shops.
Vautrin’s boundless curiosity led her to constantly experiment with new materials and processes. In 1955, she perfected her technique with a new form of cellulose acetate resin, which she patented under the name Talosel. Vautrin used this material extensively to create complicated mirrored inlays, which became one of her signature motifs.
Throughout her life, Vautrin played with literary and religious iconography in her designs, drawing inspiration from common aphorisms, ancient world mythologies and alchemical principles. Her passion for symbology and the written word is reflected in her work, which often features intricate lettering and carefully rendered shapes and figures. Vautrin's pieces were imbued with her own sense of humor and love of fantasy.
In 1969, Vautrin closed her shop, and, alongside her daughter, Marie-Laure Bonnaud-Vautrin, opened a craft school to teach her innovative techniques to aspiring artists. Vautrin retired in 1980 but continued to create art from her apartment up until her death in 1997. Her individualism earned her a place among the most iconic creators of mid-century jewelry and decorative objects. Actress Brigitte Bardot and fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent became notable collectors of her work.
In 1992, Vautrin was recognized for her work in developing new decorative techniques by the Société d'Encouragement aux Métiers d’Art (later the Institut National des Métiers d’Art). Her designs were also celebrated by the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, which held a retrospective of her works in 1999.
Find vintage Line Vautrin mirrors, decorative objects and collectibles on 1stDibs.
“Cannabis” or “The World of Plants” by Line Vautrin, gilded bronze box, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Cannabis” or “The World of Plants” by Line Vautrin, gilded bronze box. “Finely chiseled gilt bronze box, the lid depicting a central plant whose leaves, veins, and roots radiate sym...
Bronze
Collectible Jewelry, Bronze Brooch by Line Vautrin, France, circa 1950
By Line Vautrin
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
A hanging articulate three-piece gilt bronze brooch "Purgatoire" also known as "Le Ciel, la Terre, et l'Enfer." by Line Vautrin. Each element with f...
Bronze
Line Vautrin “Si Tous les Gars du Monde” Gilt Bronze Brooch, France, circa 1945
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Si tous les gars du monde” by Line Vautrin, gilt bronze brooch representing a round of fourteen children dressed in long flowing garments. The piece is inspired by La Ronde autour ...
Bronze
Line Vautrin “The Cross of the Holy Spirit” Gilt Bronze Necklace, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
La croix du Saint Esprit (The cross of the Holy Spirit), by Line Vautrin. Gilt bronze necklace. Large back links, on each side a series of five shrinking hearts. As a pendant, a wing...
Bronze
Talosel tassel bracelet by Line Vautrin, circa 1960, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Talosel tassel bracelet by Line Vautrin Bracelet composed of a succession of links supporting 15 beige Talosel tassels. Each tassel is inlaid with mirrors reflecting golden, bronze a...
Mirror, Talosel
“Le lion” gilt bronze compact by Line Vautrin, Circa 1945, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Le lion” gilt bronze compact by Line Vautrin. Gilt-bronze compact depicting a stylised lion’s head in relief, surrounded by small arrow-like marks. This motif belongs to the talisma...
Bronze
Roi Soleil by Line Vautrin – Talosel mirror
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Roi Soleil” by Line Vautrin – Talosel mirror Light brown talosel structure whose rays (24 large rays, 24 small) are encrusted with alternating bronze, gold and red mirrors. A thick ...
Mirror, Talosel
Pair of “Flowers” earrings by Line Vautrin, circa 1950, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Pair of “Flowers” earrings by Line Vautrin. Pair of gilt bronze earrings enhanced with a white hot-enameled flower decoration. Equipped with clip clasps.
Bronze
Sequins by Line Vautrin, Talosel Mirror
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Sequins by Line Vautrin – Talosel mirror encrusted with pink, amber and gold mirrors. Mirror consisting of a large dark brown Talosel ring...
Mirror, Talosel
Silvered Bronze Box “Heureux Parmi la Foule” by Line Vautrin, France, circa 1945
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Heureux parmi la foule” (Happy among the crowd), silvered bronze box by Line Vautrin. Generously sized silvered bronze box. The lid carved with a decoration of a multitude of faces,...
Bronze
French Gilt Bronze Brooch by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A brooch in gilded bronze by French art jeweler Line Vautrin circa 1950s-1960s. The unusual model depicts the mathematical sign of infinity, on which appears in relief inscription of...
Bronze
Exceptional 50's Line Vautrin 'Soleil À Pointes N.3' Mirror in Blue Talosel
By Line Vautrin
Located in Paris, FR
Line Vautrin 'Soleil à Pointes N.3' mirror 1955 Talosel and mirror.
Mirror, Resin, Talosel
Armenian Alphabet by Line Vautrin, Gilt Bronze Compact
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Line Vautrin was inspired by the Armenian alphabet to create this very pretty compact whose lid and reverse are entirely carved with the characters o...
Bronze
Chardon Mirrored Glass and Talosel Resin Convex Artistic Mirror by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Montreal, QC
Mirrored glass and talosel resin "chardon" mirror by Line Vautrin incised 'LINE VAUTRIN' and numbered 'X' on the reverse. Talosel resin is derived from cellulose acetate and the name is shortened form of 'acetate de cellulose elabore'. As much artist as designer, Vautrin's prolific output encompassed jewelry, decor items and mirrors. Her works are included in the permanent collection of the musée des arts décoratifs de Paris Provenance Galerie Alexandre Biaggi...
Resin
50's Line Vautrin 'Folie' talosel convex mirror
By Line Vautrin
Located in Paris, FR
Line VAUTRIN (1913-1997) 'Folie / Le Soleil a rendez-vous avec la Lune' Circa 1958 Witch mirror, surrounded by 12 flames in black talosel. One of them wafts another small witch mirr...
Mirror, Talosel
'60s Line Vautrin Etincelle Mirror in Talosel
By Line Vautrin
Located in Paris, FR
Line Vautrin 'Etincelle' mirror Talosel '60s.
Mirror, Resin, Talosel
“Allez laissez couler les jours”, gilt bronze compact by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Allez laissez couler les jours”, gilt bronze compact by Line Vautrin. Gilded bronze compact with a rebus-decorated lid, enhanced with hot-fired enamel, by Line Vautrin. The finely s...
Bronze, Enamel
Line Vautrin “Cailloutis” Enamel and Gilt Bronze Compact, France, circa 1940
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Cailloutis”, ruby-red enameled gilt-bronze compact by Line Vautrin, France. Circular compact in gilt bronze, the lid decorated with the emblematic Cailloutis pattern. The surface, s...
Bronze, Enamel
“Tout ou Rien” (“All or Nothing”) by Line Vautrin, silvered bronze box.
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Tout ou Rien” (“All or Nothing”) by Line Vautrin, silvered bronze box. A “toutou” in familiar french language is a dog. It’s inscribed “RIEN” on the necklace, introducing the expres...
Bronze
Puzzle by Line Vautrin – Box in gilded bronze
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Puzzle by Line Vautrin – Box in gilded bronze Large and wide box in gilded bronze whose lid is carved with a puzzle by Line Vautrin. The chiselled puzzle p...
Bronze
Gilded Bronze Box with Poem by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze poudrier box with cast poem on surface by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940s. The poem "Les 4 ages de la Femme" was an old French lyrical poem th...
Bronze
La Sirène au Bateau (The mermaid with the boat) by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
La Sirène au Bateau (The mermaid with the boat) by Line Vautrin, silvered bronze box. Silvered bronze box whose lid is decorated with a Mermaid carrying a boat at arm’s length. This ...
Bronze
Talosel Resin Mirror Brooch by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Montreal, QC
Talosel resin, mirrored glass brooch by Line Vautrin, attached label 'JOUX' on the reverse. Provenance: Ader, Paris, 20th Century Decorative Arts and Sculptures, 6 December 2019, lo...
Talosel
Exceptional Line Vautrin 'Aux Alouettes' mirror"
By Line Vautrin
Located in Paris, FR
Aux Alouettes' mirror Circa-1955-1960 Talosel resin and convex mirror 17. 11/16 in. ( 45 cm)
Mirror, Resin, Talosel
$1,850 / set
Pair of Bronze and Enamel Earrings Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of bespoken earrings by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). The cast bronze earring features a sculptural design that evokes an archaic form with shell like scroll an...
Bronze
Mirror Line Vautrin "Chardon", circa 1960's
By Line Vautrin
Located in Paris, FR
Witch mirror in brown talosel with inlaid pieces of golden mirror. Signed "Line Vautrin" on the reverse, circa 1960.
Glass, Talosel
Gilt Bronze Reliquary Pendant by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A piece of wonderful jewelry by Line Vautrin designed in 1941 on the subject of St Foi, a child martyr on the early fourth century and the patron saint of prinsoers, in a rare form of a reliquary...
Bronze
Rare Mirrored Glass and Talosel Resin ''Gribiche'' Mirror by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare mirrored glass and talosel resin ''Gribiche'' mirror by Line Vautrin .Signed: LINE VAUTRIN at the back Talosel resin is derived from cellulose acetate and the name is shortened...
Resin
Bracelet by Line Vautrin – Beige Talosel Encrusted with Violetts Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This beige Talosel bracelet has been meticulously hand-sculpted by scarification to create an organic shape reminiscent of the emblematic creations of Line Vautrin. Each link, there are seven in total, is adorned with purple mirrors subtly embedded in the Talosel to create a very shimmering and luminous effect that perfectly captures Line Vautrin’s poetic aesthetic. The small, irregularly shaped...
Mirror, Talosel
Large French Tudor Wall Mirror by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning French convex wall mirror by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1950s-1960s. A relatively rare model called "Tudor". Textured talosel construction with si...
Silver Leaf
French Sculptural Bronze Bracelet 'La Manif" by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze bracelet by Line Vautrin (1913-1997), circa 1945-46. The design is known as "La Manif" or "La Manifestation", which features a chain of arm-linked figurines. Monogramme...
Bronze
Empreinte (footprint), gilded bronze powder compact by Line Vautrin, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Empreinte (footprint), gilded bronze powder compact by Line Vautrin. Powder compact with a highly chiseled lid representing a hand located in the center of a fingerprint. The wolf ma...
Bronze
Daughters of Neptune by Line Vautrin, Suite of 5 boxes, circa 1950, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Les filles de Neptune (Daughters of Neptune) by Line Vautrin, suite of 5 boxes in gilded bronze and silvered bronze. Set of 5 boxes by Line Vautrin in gilded bronze and silvered bron...
Bronze
Bronze Brooch by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A lovely brooch in gilt cast bronze made by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940s. The brooch belongs to a collection called "The moon and the starts in th...
Bronze
Les roseaux à visage humain by Line Vautrin, double-sided silvered bronze box
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Les Roseaux à visage humain” (“Reeds with Human Faces”) is a double-sided silvered bronze box by Line Vautrin. The front side representing reeds (rushes) in motion, with their flowe...
Bronze
The sweeper of the Sacred Heart by Line Vautrin – Gilt bronze box
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
La balayeuse du Sacré-Coeur (The sweeper of the Sacred Heart) by Line Vautrin, gilt bronze box. Generously sized gilt bronze box. The lid chiselled with a decoration of a multitude o...
Bronze
J’ai perdu ma tourterelle by Line Vautrin – Box in silvered bronze
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
J’ai perdu ma tourterelle (I lost my dove) by Line Vautrin – Box in silvered bronze. J’ai perdu ma tourterelle (I lost my dove) Box in silvered bronze by Line Vautrin. Large silvered...
Bronze
Guilded bronze soap dish by Line Vautrin - France 1940
By Line Vautrin
Located in Girona, Girona
Very rare basket-shaped soap dish in gilded bronze by the Paris jeweller Line Vautrin. A great work of precision by this world-renowned artist. Can also be used as a door pocket. Ver...
Bronze
Trianon or Les pavés du Roy silvered bronze compact by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Trianon” or “Les pavés du Roy”, silvered bronze compact by Line Vautrin. Silver-plated bronze compact depicting the cobblestones of the Château de Versailles. On the upper part, a h...
Bronze
Line Vautrin Mother-of-Pearl Powder Compact
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Powder compact in silvered bronze with incised mother-of-pearl top. Signed.
Bronze
Rectangular mirror by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Rectangular mirror by Line Vautrin. Structure in light tortoiseshell coloured talosel covered with lumaline threads on its outer frame by Line Vautrin. The interior frame is worked i...
Mirror, Talosel
Gilt bronze box by Line Vautrin "The Armenian alphabet'' - 1940
By Line Vautrin
Located in Girona, Girona
Very beautiful gilt bronze box or mirrorless compact. This object has two sides with different motifs representing the Armenian alphabet. Patina re-gilded with fine gold. Design: Li...
Bronze
Bespoken Large French Bronze "Chatelain" Link Brooch Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large bespoken bronze brooch by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940. Called "chatelaine", this bronze brooch features articulated chain links with hangi...
Bronze
Large Gilt Bronze Feuille Box by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large cast bronze powder box (poudrier) by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1945-1950. The box called "Feuille" (Leaf) features an irregular leaf form wit...
Bronze
Large French Silvered Bronze Box Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A silvered bronze poudrier box "Ammonite" by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). In the 1940s, Line Vautrin designed a series that was inspired by the shape of na...
Bronze
Amour roi de ton coeur (Love King of Your Heart) by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Amour roi de ton coeur (Love King of Your Heart) by Line Vautrin , Silver Bronze Box. Silver-plated bronze box with a lid enhanced with a decoration representing a two-tone wheel, th...
Bronze, Enamel
Pendant Necklace, Collectible Jewelry by Line Vautrin, Coat Button, Signed LV
By Line Vautrin
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Pendant necklace. This collectible Jewelry, has been done by Line Vautrin, and signed LV. This item is in Ceramic, in a Gold and Red color. It...
Ceramic
French Art Bronze Bracelet by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare cuff bracelet in gilded and silvered bronze by Parisian art jewller Line Vautrin (1913-1997). The playful piece is called "Le gendarme et le voleur"...
Bronze
“Idleness is the mother of all vices” by Line Vautrin, circa 1945, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Idleness is the mother of all vices” by Line Vautrin. Natural bamboo inkwell. The gilded bronze lid is finely carved with a rebus, the bamboo interior houses a small glass receptacl...
Bronze
Les roseaux à visage humain et Le lit de la rivière by Line Vautrin, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Reeds with Human Faces and The Riverbed, a set of two boxes. (Les roseaux à visage humain et le lit de la rivière) by Line Vautrin. Set of two gilt bronze boxes, titled Reeds with Hu...
Bronze
French Line Vautrin "La Dernière Cène" Last Supper Paper Holder Gilded Bronze
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
A gilded bronze paperweight (La Dernière Cène) (The last supper) On the reverse extract of a poem by Jacques Prevert Ils sont à table Ils ne mangent pas Ils ne sont pas dans leu...
Bronze
La prière de Saint François d’Assise, Gilt bronze box by Line Vautrin, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
La prière de Saint François d’Assise (The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi), gilt bronze box by Line Vautrin. Large gilt bronze box whose lid is engraved with a large extract from t...
Bronze
Articulate Bronze Brooch "Pergatoire" by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hanging articulate three-piece gilt bronze brooch "Purgatoire" also known as "Le Ciel, la Terre, et l'Enfer." by Line Vautrin. Each element with figure symbolizes Heaven, Earth and...
Bronze
Line Vautrin's Jewelry box
By Line Vautrin
Located in Paris, FR
Jewelry box by Line Vautrin 1946 Talosel and incrusted mirror 6x4 cm
Talosel
Bracelet in black talosel encrusted with Parma colored mirrors by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Bracelet in black talosel encrusted with Parma colored mirrors by Line Vautrin. One of the shapes pendant and attached to the clasp. This piece showcases the exquisite craftsmanship ...
Mirror, Talosel
Line Vautrin “Puzzle” Gilt Bronze and Ruby Red Enamel Bracelet, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Puzzle” Bracelet in Gilt Bronze and Ruby-Red Enamel by Line Vautrin, France. Articulated bracelet in gilt bronze, composed of interlocking geometric modules forming the so-called “P...
Bronze, Enamel
Line Vautrin, Romain, Round Wall Mirror in Red Talosel, France, Circa 1960
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful mirror by Line Vautrin is framed, like many of her finest, by strips of talosel, a material of her own creation, arranged in red like rays of a setting sun. Signed ...
Mirror, Talosel
French Bronze Brooch "Pergatoire" by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hanging articulate three-piece gilt bronze brooch "Purgatoire" also known as "Le Ciel, la Terre, et l'Enfer." by Line Vautrin (1913-1997). Each element with figure symbolizes Heave...
Bronze
Aime Tant et Plus, Gilt bronze box by Line Vautrin, circa 1946, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Aime Tant et Plus (Love so much and more), gilt bronze box by Line Vautrin. Gilded bronze box with a rebus message chiseled on the lid that can be interpreted as follows: M for AIME ...
Bronze
Line Vautrin, Bronze Brooch circa 1950, Signed
By Line Vautrin
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Line Vautrin, bronze brooch circa 1950, signed.
Bronze