Guy Degrenne 18/10 Stainless Steel Round Platter or Hollowware Base
Hollowware (Platter or Tray base) · Guy Degrenne, founded in 1948 in France. A premier European manufacturer renowned for modernizing industrial stainless steel tableware and providing flatware to prestigious hotels and restaurants worldwide.
Pattern: Standard Hospitality/Gastro Line; identified by functional utility and durability rather than a formal decorative pattern name.
Type
Hollowware (Platter or Tray base)
Maker
Guy Degrenne, founded in 1948 in France. A premier European manufacturer renowned for modernizing industrial stainless steel tableware and providing flatware to prestigious hotels and restaurants worldwide.
Material
18/10 Stainless Steel (Inox). Composition includes 18% chromium for rust resistance and 10% nickel for a high-luster finish and acid resistance. This contains NO ACTUAL SILVER.
Dimensions
Estimated 30-40cm diameter. Heavier than silver plate but significantly lighter and harder than sterling silver of the same gauge.
Description
A high-quality industrial stainless steel catering platter from France's most famous steel-smith. While it mimics the look of silver, it is designed for maximum utility and longevity in a commercial or home kitchen environment, featuring a lustrous, durable surface that does not tarnish like silver.
Key Features
The distinctive Guy Degrenne knight/pawn logo and the '18/10' metallurgical stamp which guarantees high-grade food-safe steel.
Material & Composition
18/10 Stainless Steel (Inox). Composition includes 18% chromium for rust resistance and 10% nickel for a high-luster finish and acid resistance. This contains NO ACTUAL SILVER.
Finish & Decoration
High-polish mirror finish on the central well with concentric machined 'brush' marks typical of industrial polishing. Minimalist, modern aesthetic without ornate engraving or chasing.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped '18/10' indicating alloy composition, the Guy Degrenne logo (a stylized knight/horse silhouette), and 'INOX' (the French term for Stainless Steel).
Construction Details
Machine-pressed and die-formed from flat sheet metal. It features industrial spun finishing marks and rolled edges for structural rigidity.
Functional Features
High corrosion resistance, dishwasher safe, and suitable for high-heat food service environments. Non-reactive surface is ideal for acidic foods.
Handle & Grip Details
None visible; likely a rimmed circular form designed for carrying by the edge or resting on a buffet stand.
Craftsmanship Details
Precision machine-stamped with uniform thickness. The stamp is struck with consistent depth, indicating modern hydraulic press manufacturing.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of the 'INOX' stamp and the 18/10 ratio are the primary indicators that this is a stainless steel industrial piece rather than a precious metal item.
Origin & Manufacturing
France (Vire, Normandy). Manufactured in the high-capacity Guy Degrenne factory specializing in metallurgical precision.
Era & Period
Contemporary/Modern Era (late 20th century to present). Post-war industrial design focusing on 'Inox' technology popularized in the 1960s.
Age Estimate
Circa 1980s-present. The crispness of the stamp and the specific logo style suggest a late 20th-century production date.
Cultural Significance
Represents the mid-century shift away from labor-intensive silver maintenance toward high-performance, easy-care 'luxury' industrial materials in French dining culture.
Condition Notes
Good overall condition but shows significant 'scuffing' and fine surface scratches from heavy cleaning or stacking. No signs of oxidation, which confirms it is stainless steel.
Value Estimate
$20 - $60 USD. Market value is dictated by utility and brand recognition in the culinary world rather than melt value of the metal.
Care & Maintenance
Low maintenance. Can be cleaned in a dishwasher or with standard abrasive-free detergents. Unlike silver, it does not require polishing with silver cream and will never tarnish.
Similar Pieces
WMF Cromargan (German), Alessi (Italian), and Oneida (American) stainless steel trays. These differ by maker's mark and specific chromium/nickel ratios.
Interesting Facts
Guy Degrenne started his business by recycling tank armor from the Battle of Normandy (WWII) to create high-quality stainless steel flatware.