Unmarked Sauteuse 30cm "Barrier"

It was one of those Sundays when the air carried just the right amount of crisp autumn chill, and the sun slowly broke through the clouds. I didn’t have much planned for the day, on these days it is nice to check out some websites  for good quality copper pans. There’s something magical about sifting through old objects, this feeling that you might find something with a story, something that’s perhaps hundreds of years old.

Suddenly something caught my eye  a large set of copper pots and pans displayed on a grass field, there were various pots, pans, and lids most of them showing the typical discoloration that only time can bring: a tarnished sheen that gave them a sense of history allready.  In the middle of the collection stood a large pan, I immediately felt the pull of that one object. It was a classic sauteuse pan, possible handmade, with a weighty copper that caught the sunlight and reflected it back.

I immediately felt the urge to know more. It was as if the pan spoke to me, not literally, of course, but it had something magical about it, a hidden story waiting to be discovered. I Immediately contacted the seller  and showed my interest in that particular pan and asked for a extra picture and information. I didn't have to wait long for a response

“That one? she wrote me . “It’s always that pan that catches people’s eyes. It has something special about it, doesn’t it?”

I asked about the history of the pan, she didnt knew anyting about it but she said there was a word on it "Barrier", she was kind and helpfull and told me she had another nice and heavy sauteuse as well the same evening i purchased both!

While waiting till the Sauteuse  arrived  my search begon.

I felt a rush of excitement..... does this pan really did have a story to tell.....

My search ended when I found Restaurant Barrier in Tours, run by the in 2009 deceased chef Charles Barrier one of the greatest chef of France. I can't imagine that this pan is not connected to this restaurant; if anyone has more information, I would love to hear it."

Specifications on the Sauteuse are impressive, enjoy the pictures below

Size: 30cm/11,8 inch

Weight: 5520gram/12.1ponds

Thickness: at the top of the rim is 3.1mm, half way the rim 4.1mm.

The two outside rivets inside the pan are 2cm while the middle rivet meassure 2.5cm. The rivets on the wrought cast iron handle are hammered into a diamond shape.

Inside the pan there is the "dot" I had not noticed that before the restoration, but I was pleasantly surprised to see it when I got the sauteuse back from restauration pan.

In my estimation the pan was made around  1940 or somewhere that time, based on the dot its a handmade pan. It can be much older who can tell......

The Sauteuse didnt came wit  a lid, while writing this post i updated it with a very well matching lid.

A big shout out to Erik https://rockymountainretinning.com/ who did a amazing job on this one

a link to Charles biography  https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Barrier 

a link to the former restaurant which is again used for history od "french cuisine" https://www.lhotellerie-restauration.fr/actualite/une-nouvelle-vie-pour-le-restaurant-de-charles-barrier-a-tours