The Search for the Elusive Vase in "Bonjour Tristesse"

Durga Chew-Bose’s 2024 film "Bonjour Tristesse," inspired by Françoise Sagan’s 1954 novel and Otto Preminger’s 1958 film adaptation, follows Cécile, portrayed by Lily McInerny, during a summer vacation in the south of France with her widowed father, Raymond (Claes Bang), and his girlfriend. The film's plot thickens when Anne (Chloë Sevigny), a disciplined fashion designer and an old friend of Raymond, arrives, disrupting Cécile's carefree life. This dynamic sets the stage for a conflict that unfolds throughout the film.

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A notable element in "Bonjour Tristesse" is a rippled vase with a moss-green glaze, prominently featured in a scene where Anne arranges flowers. This vase has sparked curiosity among viewers, leading to inquiries about its origin. Daniel, a viewer from Belize City, reached out for assistance in identifying the vase, prompting an investigation into its provenance.

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To uncover the vase's background, T Magazine editor at large Nick Haramis consulted the film's art director, Samantha Mugnier. Although Mugnier could not confirm the vase's origin, she directed Haramis to Le Garage Christian Sapet, a Parisian prop house from which the vase was rented. The search through their inventory yielded limited results but provided a clearer image of the vase.

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In the quest for the vase, Haramis discovered similar pieces online, including the Coral Reef Vase by San Diego-based artist Elena Miller, known for her nature-inspired work. This vase can be commissioned in larger sizes for approximately $800. Additionally, for those open to different shapes, the Sunken Boat Collection from Atlanta-based Currey & Company offers home furnishings that evoke the look of treasures from shipwrecks, crafted by a group of women living at the Myanmar-Thailand border.

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Nick Haramis expressed hope in tracing the vase's origins, emphasizing its beauty and significance within the film. The inquiry reflects a broader interest in the intersection of art and cinema, highlighting how objects can become focal points in storytelling.

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While the search for the vase has generated interest, some critics may argue that focusing on such details detracts from the film's deeper themes of familial relationships and personal growth. However, the vase serves as a tangible representation of the film's aesthetic and emotional undercurrents.

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• “I hope we can get to the bottom of this,” — Nick Haramis, T Magazine Editor at Large

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This exploration into the vase from "Bonjour Tristesse" illustrates how a single object can spark curiosity and discussion, bridging the worlds of art, film, and cultural craftsmanship.

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