Le Cerdonne Restaurant Copper Pot

Le Cerdonne Restaurant Copper Pot

• Vintage. 

• Found in a flea market in Le Mans.

• Made of copper. 
• Tin lined. 
• Brass handles. 
• Hinged top and bottom. 
• 18″ L with handle, 10.75″ in diameter, 6.5″ H

Editor’s notes

Vintage French hinged copper sauté pan, early 20th century. Crafted from heavy-gauge copper with a hand-tinned interior, this professional-grade piece features a rare articulated construction in which the upper pan is hinged to the lower vessel, forming an integrated lid. This design allowed for efficient braising and moisture-retaining cooking in commercial kitchens.

The pan is fitted with a substantial riveted brass handle and robust hinge hardware, all characteristic of serious French restaurant cookware. The underside is engraved with the name “Le Cerdonne,” indicating restaurant ownership and confirming its use in a professional culinary setting rather than domestic production.

Showing a rich, naturally developed patina from decades of use, this piece exemplifies the utilitarian elegance of French copper made for the working kitchen. Hinged examples of this type are increasingly scarce and highly sought after for their unusual form, craftsmanship, and direct connection to historic French gastronomy.