Tournus Copper and Stainless Steel Saucier
Hollowware (Culinary Cookware) · Tournus (Manufacture d'Articles de Ménage de Tournus), a French manufacturer established in 1910, renowned for high-quality professional and domestic cookware.
Pattern: Classic Professional Line, c. 1960s-1980s, currently discontinued in this specific bimetal format.
Type
Hollowware (Culinary Cookware)
Maker
Tournus (Manufacture d'Articles de Ménage de Tournus), a French manufacturer established in 1910, renowned for high-quality professional and domestic cookware.
Material
Bimetal construction: thick copper exterior for thermal conductivity with a stainless steel bonded lining for food safety and durability. Note: This item contains no silver; the 'silver' appearance is the stainless steel base.
Dimensions
Estimated 16-20 cm diameter; weight typically ranges between 800-1200 grams depending on wall thickness. Standard professional saucier/saucepan proportions.
Description
A heavy-duty French sauce pan featuring a copper exterior for superior heat distribution and a durable 18/10 stainless steel interior. This is a workhorse of the professional kitchen, designed for longevity and performance.
Key Features
Bi-metal 'sandwich' construction, the iconic Tournus castle logo, 'Made in France' provenance, and heavy-gauge industrial rivets.
Material & Composition
Bimetal construction: thick copper exterior for thermal conductivity with a stainless steel bonded lining for food safety and durability. Note: This item contains no silver; the 'silver' appearance is the stainless steel base.
Finish & Decoration
Industrial machine-brushed finish on the base, polished copper exterior walls. Functional, utilitarian design without decorative engraving or chasing.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped 'TOURNUS' under a stylized castle turret logo, 'MADE IN FRANCE', and '18-10' (indicating 18% chromium and 10% nickel stainless steel composition).
Construction Details
Machine-pressed or spun bimetal sheet; stainless steel lining is bonded to the copper body. The handle is likely cast iron or heavy-gauge steel, riveted to the body.
Functional Features
Flat base for contact heat, high thermal mass copper for precise temperature control, and a non-reactive stainless steel interior.
Handle & Grip Details
Long straight handle, likely dark-patinated cast iron or coated steel, secured with heavy-duty rivets (one visible at the junction).
Craftsmanship Details
High-quality industrial manufacturing. The bonding of the two metals is seamless, and the heavy-duty riveting ensures the handle will not loosen under heavy kitchen use.
Authentication Indicators
Clear, deep mechanical stamping; legitimate '18-10' grade marking; construction methods consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century French production.
Origin & Manufacturing
Tournus, Burgundy, France. Produced in a region famous for its gastronomic history and metalworking expertise.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern to Contemporary Culinary (c. 1950-1990). The design emphasizes post-war industrial efficiency and French culinary tradition.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970-1985 based on the specific '18-10' stamp and the typography of the Tournus logo.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'Golden Age' of French export cookware when brands like Mauviel, Bourgeat, and Tournus became international standards for high-end home and commercial kitchens.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. Visible heavy circular scouring/scratching on the base from use on stove burners; some oxidation and tarnish on the copper rim; handle shows signs of surface rust/pitting. Structurally sound.
Value Estimate
$40 - $85 USD depending on the diameter and the condition of the copper walls. Professional-grade French copper retains value well in the secondary market.
Care & Maintenance
Polish copper exterior with Wright's Copper Cream or a lemon/salt paste. The stainless interior can be cleaned with 'Bar Keepers Friend'. Avoid dishwashers to prevent handle oxidation and copper dulling.
Similar Pieces
Mauviel M'Heritage (copper with stainless lining), Bourgeat Tradition, or vintage Revere Ware (which uses much thinner copper cladding).
Interesting Facts
The town of Tournus has been a hub for aluminum and copper cookware since the early 20th century. Many professional chefs prefer lined copper over solid stainless steel for its faster response to flame changes.