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.
Line Vautrin Brooch, Mid-Century Mirrored Glass and Talosel, Signed JOUX
By Line Vautrin
Located in London, Fitzrovia
A beautiful mid-century brooch by French designer Line Vautrin, signed “JOUX.” Executed in Talosel and set with pink, lilac, purple ... mirrored glass
Talosel, Mirror
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
“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
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
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
Brooch Signed By Line Vautrin, Made Of Gilded Bronze
By Line Vautrin
Located in Charmes, FR
Brooch signed on the back by Line Vautrin , in gilded bronze , in very good condition
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
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 “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
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 Bronze Brooch Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze brooch in sculptural form called Le Char de la lune (The Chariot of the Moon) circa 1945-1955 by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). A long pin on the back and...
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 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
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
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
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
French Art Bronze Brooch St Eloi by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare bronze brooch St Eloi by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin ((French, 1913–1997) circa 1946. Brilliantly designed in the shape of horseshoe with the saint spreading his arms ho...
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
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
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
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
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
$4,582
Line vautrin necklace
By Line Vautrin
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie collier ras de cou par Line Vautrin en Talosel.
Talosel
French Silvered Bronze Paperweight Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A silvered cast bronze rectangular paperweight by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1940s. A lovely piece of desktop object d'art in a relatively uncommon form and ...
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
Early Gilt Bronze Necklace by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze necklace with chain and a square plaque on the subject of "Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden" with apple tree in the center, designed and made by Line Vautrin in her e...
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
Brooch by Line Vautrin, Beige Talosel Encrusted with Amber Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
This beige Talosel brooch is a unique piece of jewelry that perfectly captures the aesthetic characteristic of Line Vautrin’s work. It is adorned with small amber colored mirrors, which are intricately embedded in the beige Talosel to create a luminous and textured effect that catches the eye. The circular shape of the brooch recalls the organic and natural themes very present in the creations of Line Vautrin, the small square mirrors artistically arranged recall the meticulous attention to detail that Line Vautrin had for her many works. The Talosel has been carefully sculpted by scarification to create perfect harmony with the amber mirrors...
Mirror, 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
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
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
Billions of times love came and went, Gilded bronze box by Line Vautrin, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
Des milliards de fois s’en vint puis s’envola l’amour (Billions of times love came and went), gilded bronze box by Line Vautrin. Finely chiseled gilt bronze box, the lid featuring a ...
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
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
Bronze Brooch by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze brooch by French art jewelry designer Line Vautrin (1913-1997) Untitled circa late 1940s. The brooch depicts a horn with twisted texture wrapped with articulated chains. No signature found. Provenance: From a former Collection of a Line Vautrin jewelry...
Bronze
A French Talosel Hand Mirror with Glass Inlay by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare hand mirror "Miroir face à main" crafted by French art jewelry designer Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1950s-1960s. The elongated oval form was covered in Talosel Noire with a...
Glass, Mirror, Talosel
Gilt Bronze Brooch by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze brooch "Moise ou la Traversee du Desert" by French Jeweler Line Vautrin, circa 1940s. The patinated surface features amazing details illustrating the biblical story of Moses crossing the desert out of Egypt...
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
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
“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
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
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
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
La Dame à la Licorne , Silvered bronze box by Line Vautrin, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“La Dame à la Licorne” (The Lady and the Unicorn), silvered bronze box by Line Vautrin. Crafted in silvered bronze, this rectangular box features a highly poetic relief design. On it...
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 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
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
Bronze Necklace Pendant Saint Laurent Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A cast bronze pendant titled Saint Laurent by French art jewelry designer Line Vautrin (1913-1997). Gilt bronze, circa late 1940s. It depicts the ...
Bronze
A Bronze Compact Box by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A poudrier in bronze by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1945, the name of this lovely compact box is called "Entrelacs et Noeuds" (interlaces and knots), which re...
Bronze
“Ramses” bracelet in gilt bronze and pink enamel by Line Vautrin, France
By Line Vautrin
Located in Uccle, BE
“Ramses” bracelet in gilt bronze and pink enamel by Line Vautrin, France, circa 1940–1945. Articulated gilt bronze bracelet composed of a succession of rectangular plaques forming a ...
Bronze, Enamel
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
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
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 Rare French Gilt Bronze Box "Pinocchio" by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare cast gilt bronze box "Pinocchio" by French Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). The elongated lidded box depicts a silouette portrait of the famous boy. The interior...
Bronze
French Sculptured Gilt Bronze Box by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt bronze box or podier by French Jeweler Line Vautrin, in the pattern of "Moise ou la traversee du desert" coric 1940s-1950s. A rare mode in the box, the top surface of the cover illustrates the biblical story of Moses crossing the desert out of Egypt...
Bronze
Large French Sculpted Bronze Box by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large bonze box (based on the size, it is likely a card case) by French Parisian art jewelry designer Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1950s. The box features an interesting design i...
Bronze
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
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 Talosel Brooch with Glass Inlay by Line Vautrin Branded
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small but scarce brooch crafted by French art jewelry designer Line Vautrin (1913-1997) circa 1950s-1960s. The tear-drop shaped brooch was made Talosel inlayed with pinkish purple ...
Glass, Mirror, Talosel