Line Vautrin Masterworks From a Manhattan David Collins Studio Interior at Hindman
The renowned French jewelry designer and decorative artist Line Vautrin’s elegant yet whimsical pieces exude a spirit of the fantastical. An autodidact, Vautrin taught herself metalsmithing and successfully opened a shop in Rue de Berri, Paris, after a successful showing at the 1937 Paris International Exposition. Like many artists working during the war years scarcity of materials led Vautrin to varied materials not necessarily associated with luxury. Her early creations included jewelry, belts, powder compacts, and buttons.
In the post-war years, Line Vautrin emerged as an iconic celebrity figure and bolstered an art de vivre for French audiences. Her pieces were a joyful reprieve often invoking shapes from nature-creating objects shaped like leaves or shells.
Lot 10 | Line Vautrin (1913-1997) | Mirror, c. 1965 | Estimate: $50,000 - 70,000
Vautrin's distinctive style emerged when she developed a material called talosel, consisting of layers of cellulose acetate carved and scratched, and worked with fire with the inclusion of mirror fragments. This breakthrough allowed her to create larger objects, particularly her iconic mirrors.
Hindman is honored to present two exceptional pieces by Line Vautrin in our November Modern Design auction that were selected by the late Irish architect and interior designer David Collins for a Private Manhattan Residence. Collins, who favored French design, had a passion for Vautrin’s work and owned a number of her works.
Lot 11 | Line Vautrin (1913-1997) | Table Lamp, c. 1965 | Estimate: $10,000 - 15,000
Iain Watson, CEO of David Collins Studio in London, regards the residence as one of the designer’s late masterpieces. “This apartment interior, created by David Collins over two decades ago for his close friends living in Manhattan, has all the hallmarks of The Studio’s extraordinary oeuvre, including a mix of period references, texture, colors, and luxurious finishes. This home looked to redefine timeless glamour for New York living.”
The mirror and lamp on offer are a testament to Vautrin’s heightened craft of hand-working materials. The interior border of the mirror displays confident gauged lines to the resin, reminiscent of bark texture, in contrast to the delicate shimmering petals. This particular mirror stands on the larger side of Vautrin’s catalogue that usually did not exceed one meter in overall diameter for these works. The scale, a deliberate choice, is influenced both by her artistic preferences and also by the practical considerations of time and material constraints inherent in working with the resin medium. The cylindrical table lamp features tiled and worked gold talosel resin. The effect of multiple layers of the unique talosel material create a rich patterned mosaic appearing as if the object was forged and cast. These two fantastic examples are fresh to market and will be the cornerstone of Hindman Auctions November 14th Modern Design sale.
Featured Photo: Evan Joseph