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Gilded Bronze Box with Poem by French Art Jeweler Line Vautrin

$12,800
£9,721.92
€11,181.98
CA$17,884.11
A$19,942.80
CHF 10,405.31
MX$244,705.74
NOK 132,442.96
SEK 125,486.83
DKK 83,455.26
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About the Item

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 that humorously outline the four stages of a woman's life. Historically, the authorship appears unclear but was attributed to several figures including Jean-Baptiste de Grécourt (1683-1743). Signed LINE VAUTRIN on the base. "LES 4 ÂGES DES FEMMES Philis plus avare que tendre, Ne gagnant rien à refuser, Un jour exigea de Lisandre Trente moutons pour un baiser. Le lendemain, nouvelle affaire, Pour le berger le troc fut bon, Il exigea de la bergère Trente baisers pour un mouton. Un autre jour, Philis plus tendre, Craignant de déplaire au berger, Fut trop heureuse de lui rendre Trente moutons pour un baiser. Le lendemain, Philis peu sage, Aurait donné moutons et chien, Pour un baiser que ce volage À Lisette donnait pour rien." For a variant on the same theme: Line Vautrin, 100 years of magnitude, exhibition catalogue, Maison Gérard, New York, 16 May-21 June 2013, n. p., n. 40.
  • Creator:
    Line Vautrin (Jeweler)
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 0.375 in (9.53 mm)Width: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)Depth: 3.5 in (8.89 cm)
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1940s
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Minor overall surface wear and small indentation on the base, slight unevenness on one internal wall, all as shown in detail photos.
  • Seller Location:
    Atlanta, GA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU945027946822

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A wonderful jewelry box in gilt cast bronze by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). From a small special series, the designer created circa 1945-55. on which some French poems were cast in relief on the cover. This box features a well-known love poem "Sonnet" by Félix Arvers (1806 – 1850), widely considered as one of the most romantic French poems written about unrequited love and longing. Three out of four passages are shown on the lid except the third one. The box is lined with cork. There is a line on the back from casting, commonly seen in the boxes of the series. Mon âme a son secret, ma vie a son mystère, Un amour éternel en un moment conçu Le mal est sans espoir, aussi j'ai dû le taire, Et celle qui l'a fait n'en a jamais rien su. Hélas ! j'aurai passé près d'elle inaperçu, Toujours à ses côtés, et pourtant solitaire. Et j'aurai jusqu'au bout fait mon temps sur la terre, N'osant rien demander et n'ayant rien reçu. Pour elle, quoique Dieu l'ait faite douce et tendre, Elle suit son chemin, distraite et sans entendre Ce murmure d'amour élevé sur ses pas. À l'austère devoir, pieusement fidèle, Elle dira, lisant ces vers tout remplis d'elle " Quelle est donc cette femme ? " et ne comprendra pas. A secret fills my soul, and a mystery fills my life, An eternal love conceived in an instant. As the scourge was hopeless, it remained wordless, And the one responsible was unaware of it. Alas! I lived close to her but without notice, Always by her side yet so lonely. And I shall have lived my days on this Earth, Not daring to ask for anything, obtaining nothing. Even though God made her gentle and tender, She goes her way, careless and oblivious To the sough of love rising...
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A wonderful jewelry box in silvered cast bronze by Parisian art jeweler Line Vautrin (1913-1997). From a small special series, the designer created circa 1945-55. on which poems were cast in relief on the cover. Most existing examples features poems that are well-known. This poem, however, was not identified by us, and possibly is a creation of the artist herself. It is a very soulful prose (see the full poem in French below). Signed on the base as shown. We have a gilt bronze box with the same relief cast poem that comes with a three-page Certification in French by Comite Line Vautrin, shown in some photos as well. Reference: For other boxes with poems see "Line Vautrin Sculptor, Jeweller, Magician by Line Vautrin and Patrick Mauries, page 42. "Les glaciers vagabonds qui ébranlent les murs et les anges frileux qui cherchent un asile quand la nuit de décembre anesthésie la ville t’effraient plus que les morts tutélaires et durs Ils désertent pour toi...
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