Antique Pillivuyt Pat Terrine or Game Casserole / Pie

Pillivuyt is a well known maker of kitchen-ware products. But to me, their antique series of pat terrines or game casserole dishes are beautiful as well as highly desirable. I am writing this guide to share what I have learned about these antique beauties.WHAT IS PILLIVUYT?Several sources describe Pillivuyt (Pilly-vwheat) as follows: "Pillivuyt stands for unique and timeless design and high quality products which all feature incredible strength through their very geplex production process, heat resistance (all products can be transferred from the freezer to the oven without loss of quality), microwave-friendly material. The non-porous nature of porcelain allows the microwaves to focus their attention on the food rather than the porcelain, and an easy to clean as well as safe surface to eat from. All the pieces are fired at 1400 degrees Centigrade to make them virtually non-porous and, therefore, very easy to clean. Modern Pillivuyt pieces geplement any dinnerware with classic shapes and pure white glaze."HISTORY OF PILLIVUYT(Information from the Pillivuyt site on the internet in France) In 1818 Louis Charles Pillivuyt recognized the huge advantages porcelain had over its earthenware and other porous product gepetitors. He set about creating his own individual gebination of raw materials in an attempt to make the highest quality porcelain. His porcelain factory was founded in the Berry Region of central France (one of the two crucibles of the French porcelain industry), at Foecy. In 1853 Charles PILLIVUYT decided to move his factory to Mehun on Yevre near the channel of Berry about 250 km (200 miles) outside of Paris (between Bourges and Vierzon).Pillivuyt has been making beautiful quality porcelain, according to artisanal traditions, using techniques that have not changed since the gepany was founded in 1818. It was a rapid success and PILLIVUYT was honoured with successive medals during World Fairs. His original work has inspired and has been refined by his successors to fulfill his original dream.Unlike many makers of high-quality porcelain, Pillivuyt has continued to prosper.The factory is now employee-owned and operated near the town of Mehun-sur-Yevre. The factory is an important part of the economy of this small town and employs over 300 of the local population.Pillivuyt Porcelain, continues its long tradition of producing original French Culinary Porcelain. It is renowned for the tough, elegant oven to table porcelain still used in French restaurants today. This type of porcelain is the strongest ceramic in general use today.THE PATE TERRINES OR GAME CASSEROLESFrench cooks often roast meats and poultry in a deep porcelain dish as opposed to a metal one, because porcelain conducts heat gently and evenly and is easy to clean. These antique oval game casseroles, available in two different sizes, are very robust and durable. They date from about 1900 (or earlier) to about the 1950's. Varieties include: Hare (rabbit), Mallard Duck, Pheasant, Woodcock, and Partridge. They are truly game pie dishes. There is also a larger rectangular version with a green base. PILLIVUYT PATE MOLDSThe outside is matte porcelain created to resemble traditional en croute pastry crust and the interior is beautifully smooth white porcelain. At first I believed these anitique baking dishes were game pie dishes or small casseroles. Certainly they can be used as such. However, I now believe they were originally designed as molds for preparing pates.They resemble closely some modern dishes shown below. These are described as follows: These molds are ideal for creating terrines and pates which require uniform cooking. The tight seal of the dish allows for easy layering and slicing. The enamel lid has a small hole for venting which ensures that the top layer does not dry while at the same time allowing steam toescape slowly for quicker cooking.The slightly flared sides of the dish allow for easy unmolding. A menu suggested by the famous chef Emeril Lagasse would include: Chicken Liver Pate: Terrine de Foies de Volaille French Onion Soup Warm Nut Encrusted Goat Cheese Salad with Bacon LardonsTHE ANTIQUE VARIETIES What can you expect to pay for one of these? Sizes vary and that may have some effect on the price as well as conditon of the dish. There are two sizes of the brown crusty looking terrines (small and large). You might get lucky and find one before anyone knows the auction is up, since the antique ones only show up occasionally. Then you might get a real deal! Also, I don't think too many people have discovered these yet. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from $240 to $400 or more for one.Hints: Try expanding your search on okay to international okay auctions, since these often are put up by French sellers. I have purchased a couple that way and though it took longer to get them in the mail, it was well worth the effort! Also look under these categories game pie, terrine, casserole, majolica, baking dish. If you have found this guide helpful, please vote for it so I will write more guides.