What is a tureen?
A tureen is a deep, covered vessel that is used to hold and serve liquids such as soup, stew, or bouillabaisse. Tureens originated in 18th century France. During that time soups and sauces were an especially important part of the meal—so important, in fact, that a special dish designed specifically to hold them was created! The name tureen comes from the French word “terrine.” A terrine is a traditional French dish, similar to a pâté, that is cooked in a covered pottery mold similar in design to a tureen. Early tureens were often crafted from heavy gauge silver. Most were raised on four feet and came equipped with ring drop handles and an elaborate dome cover. As time progressed, however, tureens became more accessible and were often constructed of ceramic. Ceramic construction allowed artisans to take a playful approach to the design of tureens, and today, tureens are often fashioned after animals such as rabbits, swans, ducks, or pigs, or produce like melons or bundles of asparagus.
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Lead photo courtesy of Henhurst
