Michael P.
New member
I have searched and searched but I cannot identify this skillet. This came from an estate sale in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
1.) It is unmarked and has the exterior orange/red "flame" enamel of Descoware.
2.) The interior enamel is lighter gray than Descoware's Glissemaille and it is finely speckled instead of a solid color.
3.) The handle design looks a lot like Vollrath's did but it appears to have more depth to it. I have seen the same handle on two old Descoware skillets but they were marked.
4.) The rim is slightly flared and measures 10 7/16" rim to rim; 10 7/8" at the pour spouts (outside measurements). The rim is 1 7/8" tall (outside measurement).
5.) Now the kicker, the heat ring is inset and has 4 notches - I have never seen 4 notches on ANYTHING before. The heat ring is 7 3/4" in diameter measured on center.
My best guess is that this is Bruxelles Ware, made in France prior to purchase from GHC by Sanford in the 1940s when production was moved to Belgium but there is just not enough data out there to substantiate my suspicions. Also, my understanding is that Bruxelles Ware actually pioneered the flame pattern exterior enamel so it could very well precede the Descoware branding. Perhaps it is a USA made "me too" type of skillet? ...I would be forever grateful if someone knows something about this skillet.
1.) It is unmarked and has the exterior orange/red "flame" enamel of Descoware.
2.) The interior enamel is lighter gray than Descoware's Glissemaille and it is finely speckled instead of a solid color.
3.) The handle design looks a lot like Vollrath's did but it appears to have more depth to it. I have seen the same handle on two old Descoware skillets but they were marked.
4.) The rim is slightly flared and measures 10 7/16" rim to rim; 10 7/8" at the pour spouts (outside measurements). The rim is 1 7/8" tall (outside measurement).
5.) Now the kicker, the heat ring is inset and has 4 notches - I have never seen 4 notches on ANYTHING before. The heat ring is 7 3/4" in diameter measured on center.
My best guess is that this is Bruxelles Ware, made in France prior to purchase from GHC by Sanford in the 1940s when production was moved to Belgium but there is just not enough data out there to substantiate my suspicions. Also, my understanding is that Bruxelles Ware actually pioneered the flame pattern exterior enamel so it could very well precede the Descoware branding. Perhaps it is a USA made "me too" type of skillet? ...I would be forever grateful if someone knows something about this skillet.
