French and Belgian Copper and Brass

(c) Vin Callcut 2002-2021.

Small extracts can be used with acknowledgements to 'Oldcopper.org' website.

Helpful comments are very welcome.

 

 

 

French and Belgian Copper and Brass
Bté S.G.D.G. Breveté Sans Guarantie du Government
Unis France
Dinanderie
Guaranti Villedieu-les-Poêles
Copper from Pau commemorating King Henry IV
"URBIS PALLADIUM ET GENTIS"

 

Bté S.G.D.G. Breveté Sans Guarantie du Government
design registration mark, without government guarantee.  This is a near-equivalent to 'Patent applied for' and was used after 1844. (Thanks to Greg Rahn and the BL).  This is because the mark was issued without examination of the design.  It is most frequently used after 1844 but the Wikipedia article lists the 1791 revolution statue as the start of the patent system. The 1800 & 1844 Statues to update the 1791 laws.

Unis France

lc mark Meret, Lelong, Fournier and Co., also as Meret Freres, 107, rue de Charenton, Paris 12th, manufacturer of copper and aluminium wares.  "LC" is one of the marks of this manufacturer which appears in the 1929 directory of the members of Unis France. This marking 'United France' confirms the French manufacture and the antiquity of the object. (Thanks to Neeme Kapp.)
   
lc mark 'L C ' and fouled anchor mark found on a copper coffee pot and many similar items dating from the 1920s-1930s.  Mark found under a spirit kettle. (courtesy James Ireland). 
   
 
   
Meret Meret, Lelong, Fournier and Co., also as Meret Freres, 107, rue de Charenton, Paris 12th, manufacturer of copper and aluminium wares.  "LC" is one of the marks of this manufacturer which appears in the 1929 directory of the members of Unis France. This marking 'United France' confirms the French manufacture and the antiquity of the object. (Thanks to Neeme Kapp.)
cadec L Cadec Ltd.,Cadec's Cookware shop, 52, Greek Street, Soho, London establsihed by M & Mmme Louis Cadec c1910, vendors of French copper cookware in London under their own name.
   

La Cuiverie de Cerdon,

Le Village, 01450 Cerdon [contact@cuivredecerdon.com] The Copper factory of Cerdon was founded in 1854 by Charles Main and sons on a site with good water power. It became one of the most important copper factories of France in 1900 (80 workmen). it very nearly died out in 1979 but was started again and saved by sons of workmen, it became a National Curiosity, classified among the 200 best sites in France. It is still listed as a historical monument 'La Cuiverie de Cerdon' - article in Hist Met.
   
Christofle & Cie., Saint Denis, France, founded 1831, was one of the earliest and most important European suppliers of japonisme (Japanese-inspired) metalwork. The firm still flourishes and remains a leading European producer of silver and electroplated art metal ware.  Many of their best items were designed by Joseph Maria Olbrich but they also made a range of factory made Dinanderie.  This mark is under a porringer.
eclat Eclat  unknown mark on table lighter.
   
faib

FAIB, unknown mark on copper tray. Les Cuirvres de Faucogney.  Further details welcome.

   
 
   
DeHillerin , cookware,  founded 1820. Paris, France.   More information welcome.
Cockerel found as a maker's mark on a DeHillerin saucepan.  (Ack. Sarah Foulis) The cockerel stamp was originally the mark of Lagaldi Freres (brothers) whose company Eugene de Hillerin acquired in 1885, (VFC)
   
   
F Lejeurne, 76, rue Vaneau, Paris.  more details welcome.
   
ar AR  (or AP?) unknown mark on cast brass French pen tray. More information welcome.
   
Paris Bimetal - this mark found on small silver-lined copper serving bowls with handles used for the service of warm brandy or rich sauces.  The maker using the crown and clasped hands symbols is not yet identified.  The British agents were T. Goode & Son of 19, South Audley Street, London.  The broad arrow may mean that it was for use by service personnel. 
   
french “Fabrication Française” means “Made in France” and Baumalu seems to have used it on boxes in lieu of the Baumalu logo,
   
  .
   
Villedieu - see below

 

Dinanderie

-  
The French have a long tradition of making excellent copper and brassware.   Copperware is known generally as  Dinanderie after one of the earliest medieval centres of excellence, Dinant, now in Belgium.  Production has followed all the needs of the interior decorator from simple and minimalist through all the recognised periods.  Intricate designs are frequently found in well crafted castings.  
dinanta mark under a souvenir jug from the historical medieval brassmaking town of dinantDinant-on-Meuse, Belgium.  Zinc ore was mined locally from the hilly banks of the River Meuse to be used alloying with copper to make the brass. The word is sometimes used loosely in the description of similar items of quality copper and brassware. dinantInterestingly, birds are perched on the crossed hammers of the metalworkers.  Also now stamped 'Made in Belgium' since borders have moved.  
dinant  
 
The marks of 'A Rawlin', a maker from Dinant found under a brass vase.  Further information welcome.  
 
   
   
   
dinandiere  
The last of the dinandiéres still working in Rue du Moulin, Dinant, Belgium.  He is raising the characters on a nameplate.  
 
A visit to Dinant is very rewarding, especially with a visit to a splendid museum of dinanderie in Bouvignes, just outside the town.  

 

Villedieu-les-Poêles

is a town some distance South West of Caen in Normandy, France.  It has been a copper-working centre since it was granted to the Knights Templar by Henry 1, King of England and Duke of Normandy in the 12thcentury.  The Corporation of Coppersmiths of Villedieu was recognised by the subsequent Kings of France in the 14thcentury which has lead to the ‘Guaranti Villedieu’ warranty of origin.  The town has escaped the worst effects of wars through the centuries and retains medieval charm and a number of shops making and selling copperware from souvenirs through cookware to complete batteries de cuisine.   Bell foundries were set up by immigrants from Lorraine about 1780 and visits are still possible.

AJM Couteil,  2 rue Carnot,  Villedieu.

Boutique de la Fonderie de Cloches  (Bell Foundry) Rue du Pont Chignon,  Villedieu.

Cadeaux Souvenirs,   8 Rue Carnot,  Villedieu.

Cuivres Gallien,  08/10 Place de la République,  Villedieu.

Etienne Dulin Atelier du Cuivre, 54, Rue du General Huard, F50800 Villedieu les Poêules.  (Visitable factory and shop)

Hier et Aujourd'hui 11 Place des Chevaliers de Malte,  Villedieu.

La Boutique du Dinandier, 33 place de la République,  Villedieu.

La Cuivrerie Sourdine, Michel Lelegard,  20 Rue Carnot,  Villedieu.

 'FH' monogram of an unknown maker over a Viking type longboat with 'guaranti Villedieu France'.

L. Lecellier Villedieu used a copper working logo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper from Pau commemorating King Henry IV

"URBIS PALLADIUM ET GENTIS"

Souvenir copperwares made during the 1930s in Pau in the South of France, birthplace of King Henry IV in 1553.   There are a selection of trays and holloware including a large wine cooler or jardinière.  They are decorated with the coat of arms of Pau and frequently include 'H IV' which is allowed ever since 1829 to acknowledge his birthplace.  The copper is soft and relatively thin.  The patterns are mostly picked out freehand with a pin punch.  The quality of some is better than others.  Made for the tourist market and fairly common.  Information on the identity of the coppersmith(s) would be very welcome and acknowledged.

Pau, capital of the province of Béarn and is situated just North of the Pyrenees and 100km from the Atlantic ocean.  The town motto reads "URBIS PALLADIUM ET GENTIS". (Safeguard of the city and the Nation),  The shield includes details relating to local features and history that are covered in more detail. Pau Coat of Arms.

pau

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
pau  
One of at least three sizes of tray bearing the coat of arms and the royal fleur-de-lys.  
 
   
 
This small souvenir cauldron may commemorate king Henry's love of 'poule-en-pot' chicken stew.  The detail includes a symbolic peacock.  
 
The coat of arms on the ice bucket include the king's crown and two boar's heads.  
 
The royal fleu-de-lys.  
 
A jardinière with the simple crown of Henry IV  

 

http://data.bnf.fr/fr/atelier/12572204/meret_freres/

FRANCE LORRAINE COLLECTION
http://francelorrainecollection.fr/en/MORE-BRANDS/
A history of some of the following makers of cookware is being prepared:


A LA MÉNAGÈRE PARIS
ALLEZ FRÈRES
ALTIER (L.) PARIS
AMORETTI BROTHERS
ATELIER DU CUIVRE VILLEDIEU
AUGUSTE ROBLIN PÈRE ET FILS VILLEDIEU
BALEX
BAUMALU
BAZAR MODERNE
BAZAR PARISIEN VILLEDIEU
B.H.V BAZAR DE L'HOTEL DE VILLE PARIS
BLASER PARIS
BOURGEAT (MATFER)
BRIFFAULT PARIS
BROOKLYN COPPER COOKWARE BCC USA
CHARLES FERRE VILLEDIEU
CHOMETTE FAVOR
COFAM
COHR DENMARK
COMPTOIR HOTELIER GERARDMER
COOPER SWITZERLAND
COPRAL SWITZERLAND
CRISTOFLE
CUIVRERIE DE CERDON
CVD VILLEDIEU
DE BORTOLI CERDON
DE BUYER
DEHILLERIN
DEMUYNCK BELGIUM
DINANT
DURFORT
DUPARQUET USA
DUPARQUET EAST COST TINNING USA
DUVAL EMILE
EGROT PARIS
ENDERLIN
ETIENNE LOYER VILLEDIEU
FALK BELGIUM
FAUCOGNEY
FORTAIN VILLEDIEU
G. LECLERC SOUILLAC
GAILLARD PARIS
GAOR VILLEDIEU
GARY HEYER USA
GEORG JENSEN DENMARK
GIRARD ET BOITE
GRANDS MAGASINS DU PRINTEMPS
GRANDS MAGASINS DU LOUVRE
GROUARD FRERES
GUILLAUMET VILLEDIEU
POMMIER (H.) BELGIUM
HAVARD VILLEDIEU
HOUDAYER PARIS
J. CHESNAIS VILLEDIEU
JACQUOTOT (J.) PARIS
JAPY
JEAN GOARDERE
JEAN-PAUL THEVENOT
JEAN POUTEAU
JEAN RASTELLO
KOESSLER
KREIS.HEPP ST. GALLEN SWITERLAND
KUHN RIKON
L. BON
L. CADEC LTD
L. MESAGER
L. RUST
LA BOVIDA
LAGOSTINA
LARA COPPER AUSTRALIA
LE CREUSET
LE GOURMET
LE SEMEUR
LECELLIER
LEFEVRE A. VILLEDIEU
LEFEVRE FRERES VILLEDIEU
LEGION INDUSTRIES USA
LEGRAND PARIS
LEGRY PARIS
LEJEUNE PARIS
LELEGARD VILLEDIEU
LEMONIER VILLEDIEU
LEON VERMELEN BELGIUM
LEOPOLD MALIGNON
LETANG PARIS
LIEGE BELGIUM
LINK
LOYER FRERE VILLEDIEU
M. DELALANDE VILLEDIEU
MANZONI GEBENSTROB SWITZERLAND
MARCEL LE MASSON PARIS
MATFER BOURGEAT
MATILLON JEAN
MATILLON MICHEL
MAUVIEL
MAUVIEL GAUTIER
MECAN BELGIUM
MERET FRERES PARIS
METALUTIL PORTUGAL
METAUX OUVRES DE VESOUL
MICHEL LYON
MIQUELARD
ML VILLEDIEU
MORA ET COMPAGNIE PARIS
MOUSSET
NAVARINI ITALY
PERSONNE PARIS
PETER BRUX
PETER ET MEYER BELGIUM
PHILBERT PARIS
PICHON
PICHOT
PIERRE FOUGERET
PIERRE VERGNES
PITEL MAURICE
RENAUD ET J. CLERMONT
ROGER PEREE VILLEDIEU
SABATIER
SAILLARD
SARTEL FAYMONT
SCHWABENLAND GERMANY
SIGG SWITZERLAND
SIMON PARIS
SITRAM
SOH
SOLILIAGE
SOPAD
SOY TURQUIE
SPRING CULINOX SWITZERLAND
STOCKLI NETSTAL SWITERLAND
TAGUS PORTUGAL
TEFAL
THOMASSIN
TOURNUS
TROCOLLO ET FILS
TROTTIER
TUPPERWARE
UNIS MERET
VAN NEUSS BELGIUM
VERBEELEN BELGIUM
VINCKLER
VINKER
WAGNER CHRISTIAN
WALDOW BCC
WEGRO
YVES GAUTIER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A