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French Line Vautrin Bronze Poem Box with Sonnet by Felix Arvers

Creator: Line Vautrin
Offered by: Tishu

Description
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 as she walks on.

Devoutly faithful to her respectability,
If she ever reads these lines so full of her, she will say
"But who is this woman?" and will never understand.

Reference: For the same box illustrate Line Vautrin Poesie in Metal Exposition du Musee d'Art et de Joaillerie, Hambourg, pg.85

More Information

Documentation:	Signed
Origin:	France
Period:	1950-1979
Materials:	Bronze
Condition:	Good. Fine original unpolished condition with surface patina, signed on the base as shown, interior cork lining in good condition and appears original. Minor accretion in places as expected.
Creation Date:	1940-50s
Styles / Movements:	Modern, Collectible Design
Patterns:	Geometric, Handmade, Modern
Incollect Reference #:	608549

Dimensions

W.	3.125 in;	H.	1.125 in;	D.	3.1 in;
W.	7.94 cm;	H.	2.86 cm;	D.	7.87 cm;

Message from Seller:

Tishu, based in Atlanta, GA, offers a diverse collection ranging from Neolithic art to 20th-century collectibles, with a focus on Mid-century design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian textiles, and Contemporary Aboriginal art. Driven by a passion for timeless beauty, the gallery is open by appointment only and offers works that span 5,000 years of history. Reach them at 305-400-0561 or tishu@tishugallery.com.