Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Collectible Line Vautrin Gilt Bronze Brooch, c. 1945

About the Item

A collectible gilt-bronze brooch showing a sunlit lion was designed by pioneering French woman jeweler Line Vautrin, France, circa 1945. It is a small but mighty piece weighing 27.72 grams and signed “LV.” Vautrin’s brooch makes the perfect gift for a partner or a unique addition to an artist’s jewelry aficionado’s collection. Born into a family of metal founders, even as a small child Line Vautrin (1913-1997) was fascinated by her father’s business. She never received a formal art education, but by the time she was 14, she had mastered the skills of casting, chasing, and gilding bronze. At 15, she hit upon the novel concept of making artistic jewelry in gilt metal. She began to sell pieces almost immediately; Vautrin devoted herself to experimentation with new materials then and, indeed, throughout her career but remained committed to bronze. In a time when few women played such a role, she was a pioneering craftswoman known for highly original jewelry enveloped in wordplay and symbology. The turning point came when she hired a stand at the Paris International Exposition of 1937 and attracted a sufficient clientele to open a shop in the Rue de Berri so tiny she called it "the cupboard." Line Vautrin was on her way to becoming a superstar of French artistic jewelry and the broader decorative arts communities, known as much for her striking brutalist mirrors and boxes as for her jewels.
  • Creator:
  • Metal:
    Bronze
  • Weight:
    27.72 g
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.9 in (48.26 mm)Width: 1.7 in (43.18 mm)
  • Style:
    Artist
  • Place of Origin:
    France
  • Period:
    1940-1949
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1945
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: MC30831stDibs: LU105223130242

More From This Seller

View All
Art Smith Brass and Copper Brooch, c. 1950
By Art Smith
Located in New York, NY
Art Smith created this sculptural modernist copper and brass brooch in the 1950s. It represents a refined expression of mid-century modernist design, shaped in a bold, yin-yang-inspi...
Category

Vintage 1950s American Brooches

Materials

Brass, Copper

John Donald Morganite, Diamond and Gold Brooch 1972
By John Donald
Located in New York, NY
A faceted Morganite, diamond and 18 karat gold brooch, by John Donald, 1972. The brooch is stamped with maker's mark JAD, and dated with London hallmarks. John Donald is a designer...
Category

Vintage 1970s British Modern Brooches

Materials

Morganite, Diamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Gold

Arthur King South Sea Baroque Pearl Diamond Yellow Gold Brooch 1970s
By Arthur King
Located in New York, NY
A baroque south sea pearl, white and colored diamonds, and 18 karat gold brooch/pendant, by Arthur King, 1970s. Vintage jewelry. This brooch measures 2.56"H x 1.81"W and is signed Ki...
Category

Vintage 1970s British Baroque Brooches

Materials

Diamond, Brown Diamond, South Sea Pearl, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Geoffrey Turk Dendritic Agate, Diamond and Gold Brooch or Pendant 2000
Located in New York, NY
A dendritic agate, diamond and 18 karat gold brooch/pendant, on a textured 18 karat gold torque, by Geoffrey Turk, 2000. Turk was a master craftsman and ...
Category

Late 20th Century British Artisan Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Agate, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold

Andrew Grima Amethyst, Diamond and Gold Brooch/Pendant Necklace
By Andrew Grima
Located in New York, NY
A square cut amethyst, pavé-set diamond, and 18 karat white gold pendant, on an 18 karat white gold torque, by Andrew Grima, made in 2002. The amethyst weighs approximately 35.00 car...
Category

Early 2000s British Modern Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Amethyst, Diamond, 18k Gold, White Gold, Gold

Cazzaniga Gold and Green Guilloché Enamel Drop Earrings 1960s
By Cazzaniga
Located in New York, NY
A pair of long 18k gold and green guilloché enamel drop earrings, by the House of Cazzaniga, c. 1960s, Italy. Signed Cazzaniga Roma 750. Intricately mad...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Dangle Earrings

Materials

18k Gold, Gold, Enamel

You May Also Like

Line Vautrin "La Manif" Gilt Bronze Brooch
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Gilt brooch by Line Vautrin (1913-1997), circa 1945-46. The design is known as ...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Artisan Brooches

Materials

Bronze, Gilt Metal, Gold Plate, Brass

Line Vautrin Gilt Bronze Moon Star Cosmology 2-part Brooch
By Line Vautrin
Located in New York, NY
Portman is pleased to offer this rare Line Vautrin “performing” brooch, extra-large for her oeuvre. In fact after looking at these for years, I have not seen such a large narrative ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Modern Brooches

Materials

Bronze, Gilt Metal

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

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Brooches

Materials

Bronze, Gilt Metal

Line Vautrin "L'Eclipse" Brooch
Located in New York, NY
Rare and charming Line Vautrin "L'Eclipse" Brooch in cast bronze. Circa 1940's France. Signed L.V. 2.5" x 1.5 x .5". Excellent condition.
Category

Vintage 1940s French Artisan Brooches

Materials

Bronze

Line Vautrin gilded bronze brooch "Les Marottes" (Puppets)
By Line Vautrin
Located in Bruxelles, BE
This brooch, in gilded bronze named "Marotte", beautifully showcases the humorous aspect and the art of reinterpreting things by LV. A "marotte" in French is a theatrical prop, typic...
Category

Vintage 1950s French Arts and Crafts Brooches

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 Second World War. The term Talosel was patented in 1950. It is an acronym based on the syllables of aceTAte de celluLOSe ELaboré. She used this new substance, extracted from wood cellulose, to make decorative objects: frames, lamps, sconces, door surrounds, screens, coffered ceilings...
Category

Vintage 1940s French Brooches

Recently Viewed

View All