Posted 3 years ago
Nicolewinn
(1 item)
I received this piece as a gift about 10 years and it’s been sitting in the cabinet in the box every since. Tonight I decided to use it for the first time and I was admiring the gorgeous color and went online to search for other pieces in this color. The label says “cassis”. I only found one other piece and it’s for sale for $700 and the seller states it’s extremely rare from Asia. Does anyone have any knowledge of this piece they could share w/ me?
Respectfully, Nicole ????
Hi, Nicolewinn. :-)
Beautiful. Apparently, cassis was a new color for Le Crueset back in 2010:
https://www.thekitchn.com/cassis-and-lilac-new-colors-fr-106097
It looks like Le Crueset made a number of heart-shaped pieces, including Dutch ovens, casseroles, ramekins and a few others:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/le-creuset-purple-cassis-qt-heart-1807753194
https://www.lecreuset.co.za/blog/follow-your-heart-to-le-creuset
https://lecreusetshop.blogspot.com/2012/02/le-creuset-stoneware-heart-minis-set-of.html
When you see prices online, you should keep in mind that they represent what somebody thinks an item is worth.
If the item has been sold, then the price was worth it to that particular buyer.
If the item hasn't been sold, then the price represents what the seller thinks it's worth. Whethere they get that price remains to be seen.
Replacements dot com is a good example of what a seller might think something is worth:
https://www.replacements.com/china-le-creuset-cassis/c/426797
I like using Replacements for research, because if they've ever had a particular piece in their possession, they'll have a picture of it.
However, when it comes to buying something, I'd have to want it pretty bad to buy it from them, because they are notoriously expensive as sellers (not to be confused with the prices they offer as buyers).
They know that some people will pay almost anything to replace the family heirloom tea pot that was broken by the family brat before Grandmother visits again.
They do tweak their prices on occasion, so they're actively assessing value. Here's an example of something that's been reduced:
https://www.replacements.com/china-spode-edwardian-child-collection-blue-bank/p/8921641
Per Replacements dot com, Le Crueset seems to have produced items in the cassis color 2011 -2018, and they don't have a picture of the heart shaped baker in any color.
Thank you for the quick and detailed response! I received it as a wedding gift from my ex-husband’s college roommate and his wife and although I’m not in touch with them now, I couldn’t figure out how they would have acquired a piece of bakeware from Asia.
I also wanted to certain that if it was “valuable” I do the right thing and my ex and offer him half of the value (catholic guilt!)
I’m an insurance agent so bring in sales I understand “worth” is determined by what one will pay for which is sometimes a hard concept for us to grasp. Thank you for all your insight. I appreciate your help.
Nicolewinn, You're quite welcome. :-)
I think I should warn you that I'm not an expert; I'm just an old Internet surfer.
With regard to the Le Creuset stoneware baker from "Asia": apparently all of Le Creuset's stoneware pieces are made in either China or Thailand:
https://kitcheninstincts.com/is-le-creuset-made-in-china/
It's commendable that you're willing to split the proceeds of a sale with your ex-partner. You can call it Catholic guilt if you like, but I call it conscience and ethics.
It's also good that you understand about value; some people don't.
You could spend more time researching Le Creuset heart-shaped bakers for sale on the Internet, or get an appraisal.
Collectors Weekly offers appraisals through an affiliate (but it's not free):
https://www.valuemystuff.com/us/how-it-works
You could also try Replacements dot com:
https://www.replacements.com/sell-to-us
https://www.replacements.com/china-le-creuset-cassis-heart-shaped-baker/p/101291601
The only thing an offer from Replacements will cost you is your time and information (you'd need an account with them). There's no obligation to sell to them.
Good luck on this. :-)
Nicolewinn, I read back, and I think I owe you an apology.
You want to appraise this Le Creuset piece not to sell it, but simply so that you can divide assets equitably between yourself and your ex-partner.
If you'd wanted to sell it, you hardly would have taken it out of its original packaging and used it to cook something.
It might seem like I'm overreacting, but there are rules here at CW S&T about what's appropriate in posts and selling/buying are not.
I'm sorry and I hope the CW staff doesn't get the wrong impression about your post from what I wrote previously. :-(
I'm going to save a copy of this post, If it disappears, you can contact me at the email address in my profile and I'll give you a copy.