Line Vautrin Surreal Eye Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Dimensions:Width: 1.38 in (35.06 mm)Length: 2.75 in (69.85 mm)
- Style:Art Deco
- Place of Origin:France
- Period:Early 20th Century
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Excellent.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU111121461103
Line Vautrin
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- French Bulldog Dress CilpLocated in New York, NYFrench Bulldog dress clip of hand carved , tinted and stained bakelite . Further detailed by glass taxidermy eyes . Fitted with a brass dress clip ...Category
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Brooches
- Arts and Crafts Gecko FobLocated in New York, NYArts and Crafts unusual gecko fob from the early 20th Century. Charming men's fob with a "trapped" gecko motif in the Arts and Crafts Style. Art glass cabochons are set into the body...Category
Vintage 1910s American Arts and Crafts Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Miriam Haskell Looping Bow BroochBy Miriam HaskellLocated in New York, NYMiriam Haskell's looping bow circle brooch of signature Russian gilt and hand sewn crystal rose montes and seed pearls. 1940's USA. Excellent condition. L1.75" W1.75"Category
Vintage 1940s American Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Rebajes Sterling Modernist Bird BroochBy RebajesLocated in New York, NYRebajes Sterling Modernist Bird Brooch made from a single sheet of sterling metal. The wing is cut in one and folded down over body and is then further ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Valentino Large Jet and Pave LizardBy ValentinoLocated in New York, NYLarge jet and pave set lizard by Valentino, Italy. Beautifully detailed work with pave crystal accents set onto an black enamel and antique pewter metal finished base. There are se...Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Brooches
- Ruby and Emerald Baguette French Clip BroochLocated in New York, NYLarge scale bombe faux ruby and faux emerald baguette dress clip brooch, 1950s. Baguettes are set in layers for dimension. Possibly by Roger Jean Pierre. Length 2.75", W 2.50". Fra...Category
Vintage 1950s French Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
- Ladybug-Shaped Pendant and Brooch with Enamel of Various ColorsLocated in Rome, ITThe pendant in the shape of a ladybug with open wings, can be worn both as a pendant and as a brooch. The ladybug is decorated with transparent enamels of various colors. Its manufa...Category
Antique 19th Century Retro Pendant Necklaces
MaterialsEnamel
- Otto Strandman Art Nouveau 1914 Bacchus Silver Brooch, Stockholm SwedenLocated in Skanninge, SEBacchus the wine god by Otto Strandman (1871-1960), Stockholm 1914. Wonderful Swedish Art Nouveau silver brooch. Great condition, no issues. With full s...Category
Vintage 1910s Swedish Art Nouveau Brooches
MaterialsSilver
- Atelier Borgila Stockholm 1944, Modernist Brooch in Gilt Sterling SilverBy Atelier BorgilaLocated in Skanninge, SEVery nice modernist brooch depicting a bird in flight. Gilded sterling silver with maker marks. Fine vintage condition, only some minor scratches. Atelier Borgila was founded by de...Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Harald Nielsen for Georg Jensen Denmark BroochBy Harald NielsenLocated in Skanninge, SEA fine brooch by Harald Nielsen for Georg Jensen. Made during world war II. It is made in silver and patinated steel. This was something they did because of the war. Marked "HN GEOR...Category
Vintage 1940s Danish Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver, Stainless Steel
- Matti J Hyvarinen a Set of Necklace, Earrings and a Brooch, Sterling, FinlandBy Matti J. HyvärinenLocated in Skanninge, SEA set of necklace, a pair of earrings, and a Brooch in sterling silver by Matti J Hyvarinen Finland. All parts marked "MJH 925". Made in the 1970s. V...Category
Vintage 1970s Finnish Modernist Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Erik Fleming for Borgila 18k Gold Brooch, Stockholm Sweden, 1944By Atelier BorgilaLocated in Skanninge, SEWonderful 18k gold brooch depicting a flower. Made by Erik Fleming (1894-1954) for Borgila. 18k gold together with one pearl. Great condition, no issues. Diameter 4.5cm (in 1.78)Category
Vintage 1940s Swedish Modernist Brooches
Materials18k Gold