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There’s much debate about what time it’s okay to telephone someone at home. How late is too late in the evening? How early is too early? Are they friends, or family?

When I moved to Paris, a French friend told me, Never call anyone before noon on Sunday.” I made that mistake when I was still new to the city and the groggy response on the other end of the line was all that it took to make me realize what good advice that was, especially when it happened to me, when my phone recently rang too early on a Sunday morning, too. (This was before the proliferation of cell phones, mind you.)

Since I was up, I decided to hit the Marché aux Puces, or flea market. By the time I finished my coffee and got there, I was sure most of the good stuff was gone, but it was worth getting up for that day because I managed to pick up something that I’ve been admiring for a long time.

i love my loewy casserole

 

Designed in 1958 by Raymond Loewy for Le Creuset (where I got to visit a few years later), I love its combination of modernity and French utilitarianism. Vintage examples in good condition are rarely found since most have been well-used by French cooks.

Raymond Loewy was born in Paris, but left his mark in America. He became one of the most influential designers of our time. During his era, the Industrial Revolution, people were fascinated by all that was new and liked products and designs that suggested a better, more modern, future. What he designed suggested speed and forward-thinking, an emerging machine-age where everything was sleek and streamlined, and this casserole for Le Creuset is no exception.

(Update: This piece of cookware is called La Coquelle and was recently reissued.)

In addition to this casserole, Loewy designed the Studebaker, as well as the Lucky Strike, Nabisco, Shell, and Exxon logos. One of my favorites, though, was for New Man, a French clothing company. Not many people realize this, but if you turn it over, it reads the same thing, “New Man”.

Go ahead, flip over your computer and see. I’ll wait. Ok, now that you’ve done that, join me in flipping over my new, vintage coquelle.

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12 comments

    • CAROLG

    David, your COCOTTE COQUELLE “NEUVE” @ Raymond LOEWY is available on http://www.ebay.fr in the yucky new colors – mint, Naples yellow & aquamarine :P
    If it ain’t broke why fix it?! The old orange color will always be the color of Le Creust IMO.Gee NEWMAN..remember when they were new & Cacherel too…makes one feel a bit dated still…brings back fond memories. Tanks

    • Ivonne

    Lovely, David! Great find!!!

    • Alisa

    So, I new about NewMan logo, but I flipped over my computer anyway….just for fun!

    I really love your new find – and have you noticed how well it matches your socks?

    • Kathy

    Cool casserole dish!

    • Judith in Umbria

    Lucky dog!

    • Dan

    Yes, yes, the pot is all very interesting, but who called and why at 8 a.m. Saturday morning???

    • AlliK

    Quite unrelated to the post… but I made my first dessert from a recipe of yours last night, the maple-walnut pear cake from Room for Dessert (thanks, Santa!). I knew it’d be great, but YUM! It’s a perfect winter dessert for me, not to mention great leftover with coffee for breakfast this morning. So, thank you!

    • Melissa

    Sexy! And probably almost worth getting up that early for…

    • c keene

    Since moving to Paris I have had real bouts of cookware-envy, particularly for heavy, bulky thinks like cocottes that we have no room for in the kitchen. On the other hand, I have to admit that the color burnt Orange brings to mind a number of unfortunate 50’s era design excesses, including shag carpets and 8-track tapes.

    • mko

    I have my mother’s COCOTTE COQUELLE in grey which I believe she bought in London in the 60’s. I love it – the best for slow cooked pot roast in the oven. Sadly, the cover was dropped once too often and has a crack – but I use it still. I’m glad to know I’m not alone in loving it (although the orange is a little cooler than my grey!).

    • Melissa

    The classic orange reminds me of when Derrick and I were buying some Le Creuset at E. Dehillerin’s, and we were told quite forcefully our choices were “black or orange! This is not (sneer) Williams-Sonoma!”. :-) We, too, enjoy the orange.

    • keiko

    I want one of those too! Looks great.

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