Skip to main content

Line Vautrin Jewelry

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.

23
9
to
19
12
32
1
6
12
5
67
4,997
4,676
4,341
4,253
16
16
10
6
4
4
3
1
4
3
2
1
Creator: Line Vautrin
A mirrored glass and alousel brooch and earrings, Line Vautrin, France, 1960s
By Line Vautrin
Located in Greyabbey, County Down
This Talousel and mirrored glass brooch and earrings is a fine example of the later work of Line Vautrin from the 1960s. A most beautiful and unusual colour, each piece is truly artisan, made and assembled by hand. The delicate mirrored and resin elements are stacked or jumbled, on top of each other, to create an utterly delightful and original design, highly typical of this magical designer. An astounding artist, the truly individual Line Vautrin was named a ‘poetess in metal’ by Vogue magazine in 1948, starting her career in such prestigious surroundings, making buttons for Schiaparelli. She went on create some of the most extraordinary and individual jewellery, artists’ jewellery in very poetic and clever designs. These included necklace, brooches, bracelets and earrings, as well as boxes and other objets de vertu...
Category

1960s French Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Base Metal

Line Vautrin “Les Saint Russes” Gilt Bronze Link Bracelet Fully Marked 1943-45
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Portman Gallery is pleased to offer this fully marked Gilt Bronze “Les Saints Russes” link bracelet designed in the early 1940’s by the self-taught Parisian Line Vautrin, the “Poetes...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze

Line Vautrin Talosel Brooch Pin with Multicolor Mirrors
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
Line Vautrin designed this gorgeous geometric Talosel brooch pin in the 1960s. The piece is encrusted with colorful multicolor mirrored glass in a mo...
Category

1960s French Modern Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Line Vautrin Collector Vintage Mask Sun Brooch c.1950s
By Line Vautrin
Located in Verviers, Région Wallonne
Gorgeous Line Vautrin Mask Sun Vintage Brooch, circa 1950, gold plated bronze. Size: 6 x 4.5 cm Marked: LV Very good vintage condition. Pictures are inc...
Category

1950s French Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Exceptional Irina Paris Vintage Pendant, 70s
By Line Vautrin
Located in Verviers, Région Wallonne
Impressive and rare French Vintage pendant from the 70s signed I. for Irina Paris. Resin, talosel, Line Vautrin school. Condition: Excellent vi...
Category

20th Century Line Vautrin Jewelry

Vintage Line Vautrin Gold Dangling Sun God Fur Clip Brooch, circa 1930s
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Line Vautrin Gold Dangling Sun God Fur Clip Brooch Circa 1930s. This is for a true collector. So special to own and wear something like this. Amazing and in great shape.
Category

1930s French Artist Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Mixed Metal

Line Vautrin Silvered Bronze Necklace "Entrelacs" 'Tracery' 1950'
By Line Vautrin
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Behold a captivating masterpiece designed by the renowned French artist Line Vautrin (1913-1997). This intriguing and beautiful bronze silvered necklace from the 1950s showcases Vaut...
Category

1950s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Talosel and Mirror Line Vautrin Sautoire
By Line Vautrin
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Spectacular sautoire necklace in delicate golden bronze iridescent mirrored fragments, all set in color 'talousel', French resin, by Line Vautrin - made in France circa 1950/60s.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Artisan Line Vautrin Jewelry

LINE VAUTRIN, Vintage bracelet in gilded bronze, signed LV
By Line Vautrin
Located in SAINT-CLOUD, FR
Magnificent old BRACELET in gilded bronze by Line Vautrin (1913-1997), 40s vintage, signed LV (see photos), total length 18 cm, length without clasp 17 cm, width 2.3 cm, weight 52 g,...
Category

1940s French Artist Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze

line vautrin pendant
By Line Vautrin
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Icone pendant Sign Line Vautrin hand made in 1940 in bronze.
Category

1940s Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze

Line Vautrin "Colombe" Brooch
By Line Vautrin
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Exquisite gild-bronze brooch designed by Line Vautrin representing a dove executed in an abstract/cubist manner. ca 1950' Line Vautrin (1913-1997) was a French jewelry maker, design...
Category

1950s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze, Gilt Metal

Line Vautrin Les 7 Péchés Capitaux Bracelet
By Line Vautrin
Located in PARIS, FR
The Seven Deadly Sins bracelet by Line Vautrin - Circa 1950 - Gilt Bronze - Signed Each part of the bracelet illustrates one of the 7 deadly sins
Category

1950s French Artist Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

18k Gold, 22k Gold, Brass

Talosel and Mirror Double Row Line Vautrin Necklace
By Line Vautrin
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Spectacular necklace in delicate golden bronze mirrored fragments, all set in cream colored 'talousel', French resin, by Line Vautrin - made in France circa 1960s.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Artisan Line Vautrin Jewelry

La Colombe Necklace by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in PARIS, FR
Articulated Necklace in Gilded Bronze with large links . Pear-shaped medallion with semi-relief decoration figuring a dove. Signed ion the reverse of the medallion. H : 4,5 cm - L ...
Category

1960s European Artist Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

22k Gold, Brass

Vertebrae Necklace by Line Vautrin
By Line Vautrin
Located in PARIS, FR
Vertebrae Necklace by Line Vautrin - Gilt Bronze ( 22K Gold Plated) - Signed Line Vautrin Circa 1945 (46.2 x 2.2 cm) Line Vautrin was a French jewelry maker, designer, and decorative...
Category

1960s European Artist Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

22k Gold, Brass

LineVautrin MidCentury Set EnamelCarvedResinEdelweiss BrassClipEarrings & Brooch
By Line Vautrin
Located in Chicago, IL
Line Vautrin created "flame-radiating" resin mirrors in mid-century that are very similar to this sculptural resin edelweiss set of highly-textural, hand-carved and enameled convex b...
Category

Early 20th Century French Artist Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Line Vautrin "Le Soleil" Vide-Poche
By Line Vautrin
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Rare silver and gilded bronze version of the "Le Soleil" bowl by Line Vautrin. Signed LV at the base *Comes with certificate of authenticity from the "Line Vautrin For Ever" the ...
Category

1940s European Post-War Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze

Line Vautrin Blue and White Mirrors Talosel Signed Brooch Pin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
Ultra-chic Line Vautrin Talosel geometric brooch pin. Encrusted with clear and blue mirrored glass with iridescence in a tridimensional modernist shape. Glass and Talosel, a techniqu...
Category

1950s French Modern Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Line Vautrin Talosel and Mirror Cornucopia Brooch Pin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very elegant Line Vautrin Talosel brooch pin. Features a cornucopia or horn of plenty with branches in dimensional shapes in white and green Talosel, encrusted with green and gold-colored mirrored glass and gilt metal. Glass and Talosel, a technique created by Line Vautrin, in which she used cellulose acetate that was fractured into tiny splinters and worked with heat. The process of creating the Talosel jewelry had many stages, including making the mirrors, tinting them, molding the Talosel, and embedding smaller mirror fragments into it. Measurements: 4.13 in. wide (10.5 cm) x 4.13 in. high (10.5 cm). Note: This specific branch shape design was also used to create the famous "Miroir St Hubert", circa 1958, pictured in "Line Vautrin - Miroirs" by Patrick Mauriès, Galerie Chastel Marechal Editions - Copyright 2004 on page 13...
Category

1950s French Modernist Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Gilt Metal

Line Vautrin Blue Mirror and Black Talosel Brooch Pin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant Talosel or resin brooch pin was created by Line Vautrin in the 1950s. Features a freeform dimensional shape in black Talosel, encrusted with cobalt blue colored mirrored...
Category

1950s French Retro Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Exceptional Vintage Mirror Brooch attributed to Vautrin, 1960s
By Line Vautrin
Located in Verviers, Région Wallonne
Rare and beautiful vintage green mirror & talosel brooch, attributed to Line Vautrin. Not signed. Gorgeous work and sparkling light. Size: 5.5 x...
Category

20th Century French Line Vautrin Jewelry

Line Vautrin "Dante" Cuff
By Line Vautrin
Located in Riverdale, NY
Rare and iconic Line Vautrin bronze "Dante" Cuff from the 1950's with text from Dante's Divine Comedy engraved into the entire surround. The ingeni...
Category

1950s French Artisan Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze

Line Vautrin Talosel Pink Mirror Checkerboard Brooch Pin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Line Vautrin geometric Talosel brooch pin features an encrusted rectangular shape with pink-colored mirrored glass in a checkerboard pattern. The glass associated with ...
Category

1960s French Modernist Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Line Vautrin Flying Bird Talosel Resin Brooch Pin with Blue Mirror
By Line Vautrin
Located in Atlanta, GA
Beautiful Line Vautrin Talosel or resin bird brooch pin. Off-white resin encrusted with blue-colored mirrored glass on a flying bird shape. Glass and Talos...
Category

1950s French Modernist Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Line Vautrin 1940s Art Deco Articulated Gilt Bronze Seahorse Brooch
By Line Vautrin
Located in University City, MO
Line Vautrin 1940s Art Deco articulated gilt bronze seahorse brooch (Attributed) The incredibly rare figural brooch is designed with a stylized gilt b...
Category

1940s French Art Deco Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze, Gilt Metal

Line Vautrin: Poesie in Metall by Anne Bokelberg (Book)
By Line Vautrin
Located in North Yorkshire, GB
This is a very scarce catalogue of the works of Line Vautrin which were displayed at the Museum fur Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg in 2003. It was published in a very small number of 6...
Category

20th Century Line Vautrin Jewelry

Line Vautrin Mirror Mosaic Flower Bouquet Brooch
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Floral bouquet brooch by Line Vautrin, France from the 1950s. Signature "mosaics" of rose color mirrored glass rounds cut to form flowerheads and set in Talosel resin backed ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Gold Plate, Gilt Metal

Line Vautrin Cobalt Glass and Carved Gilt Talosel Brooch
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Cobalt Glass Cabocheon and Carved Gilt Talosel Brooch By Line Vautrin. The substance was developed by Line Vautrin using a synthetic resin that appeared at the end of the Seco...
Category

1940s French Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Line Vautrin Surreal Eye Brooch
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Unusual surrealist eye brooch by Line Vautrin, France from the 1950s. Signature "mosaics" of mirrored glass panels cut to form "eye" and set in Talosel resi...
Category

Early 20th Century French Art Deco Line Vautrin Jewelry

Unusual Line Vautrin "Jonas" Clip
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Line Vautrin modele "Jonas". Large and unusual Line Vautrin Clip of gilded bronze. A figure stands over a cascading ribbon form motif which resembles...
Category

1940s French Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze, Gilt Metal

1950's Line Vautrin Gilded Bronze Wearable Art Flower Pin
By Line Vautrin
Located in Toronto, Ontario
1950's Line Vautrin gilded bronze and enamel pin. An every day lapel sized pin designed by the renowned metal worker known for her wearable art. Fashioned in a floral shape, it featu...
Category

1950s French Modern Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Bronze

Line Vautrin L'Arbre de Vie Pendant Necklace
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Line Vautrin The Tree Of Life pendant necklace in gilt metal, the model created around 1937 this one realized around 1950. With center motif of a stylized tree flanked by two figure...
Category

1950s French Vintage Line Vautrin Jewelry

Materials

Gilt Metal

Line Vautrin jewellery & watches for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a range of Line Vautrin jewellery & watches available on 1stDibs. Each of these unique items was designed with extraordinary care, often using bronze. We have 28 pieces in this collection as well as a number of other designs by this jeweler. While this collection reflects work that originated over various time periods, most of these items were designed during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider jewellery & watches by Robert Goossens for Chanel, and Carven. Prices for Line Vautrin jewellery & watches can differ depending upon gemstone, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at £713 and tops out at £17,405, while pieces like these, on average, can sell for £2,263.

Recently Viewed

View All