French Copper Casserole from Chanteduc Stainless Lined

A petite vintage French copper casserole from the main kitchen at Chanteduc, part of Patricia Wells’ personal collection. Heavy gauge and nicely tapered, it is the all‑purpose faitout that, as Patricia explains, “makes everything.” Compact yet capacious, it sits comfortably in one hand. The bright stainless‑lined interior is secured by three stout rivets to a gently arched iron handle, pierced for hanging. The warm rosé copper carries a mellow, work‑earned patina from years on the open shelf, always within reach. “I love things that stack,” Patricia says, and this shape stacks with ease. Purchased in Avignon about forty years ago from Jaffier‑Parsi at 42 rue des Fourbisseurs, the celebrated cookware house that served chefs, bakers and pâtissiers for more than a century and championed copper from Villedieu‑les‑Poêles, it connects Chanteduc’s kitchen to generations of French artisans. She has cooked with it right up to now, and the stainless lining means it is ready for service today. Use it for caramel, beurre blanc or lemon curd, then hang it by the handle for a touch of cuivré warmth, or keep it stacked on an open shelf where its color and easy presence enrich the room. Jaffier‑Parsi closed in 2017 after 115 years, and pieces from the maker are prized for their quality and history.