Sunday, February 27, 2011

Le Parfait Super Mason Jars Made in France

I was out thrifting with a friend when we came upon a mass of vintage mason wire clamp mason jars! When I say mass, I mean that there were about a dozen jars, embossed with "Le Parfait Super" in a beautiful raised script on the glass.


The jars are made in France, and their volume was written in metric on the base of the jars. They could have been used for canning preserves, as the rubber gasket would be boiled, the contents closed in, and then heated to create a vacuum seal.


Because there were so many, including a couple of Arc France jars, we had our pick of the litter and scrounged around looking for those with the best gaskets and wire clamps. I learned that these are called bail tops, or lightning closures. They are an extremely effective and easy way to tightly close up a jar!


Even the hinged tops of the jars were beautiful, with their scripted print. Parfait is French for "perfect", so I suppose these are the perfect super jars!


I just love their shape, with their bulbous bottoms. Le Parfait actually still makes jars for canning and general uses, but I don't think the modern ones are as nice as these! =)  It is helpful to know that there are replacement gaskets available. An interesting fact is that the orange gaskets are trademarked by the company since it made consumers recognize these as Le Parfait jars.


I'm still pinching myself about this, but this thrift store has low prices and was still holding a half price sale. I got both of these beauties for 55¢. I know this post is a bit picture-heavy, but I just had to share!


Linking up to ATG's Thrift Share Monday!

UPDATE: I have finally found some vintage Ball mason jars - if you are interested, check them out here!
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22 comments:

  1. Thrifted TreasureFebruary 28, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    They're fab! I wouldn't have been able to restrain myself to only buying 2!!!

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  2. KrazeyFebruary 28, 2011 at 3:39 AM

    Congrats on getting these so cheap. I live in France and have 100's of these but I've never seen them at this price. (someone on EBay is selling one jar for over $79 so you got yourself a real bargain)

    Jannie (janniesjunkandjems)

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  3. graceFebruary 28, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    I LOVE those kinds of jars. I have a huge collection. And I agree with the previous commenters--there's no way I would have been able to restrain myself and only buy two!

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  4. monogirlFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    These are so pretty. I have quite a few Ball jars around but I've never seen these before.

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  5. beetreeFebruary 28, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    You did great- amazing jars at a fab price!

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  6. MonicaFebruary 28, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Score! Those jars are so charming!

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  7. ScarlettFebruary 28, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    wow those jars are amazing - what a great find! Scarlett x

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  8. BettyFebruary 28, 2011 at 11:58 AM

    I love the French and Italian canning jars with their bails and glass lids. So stylish.

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  9. The Thriftaholic (Leilani)February 28, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    What a bargain, I can't believe how cheap they are! I only own one of these, I bought it in a small town in Wisconsin of all places. They're much less common than the old Mason jars.

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  10. Nancy DeprezMarch 2, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Very pretty jars.... very nice find!! :)

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  11. monogirlMarch 3, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    Update! I've seen one and bought it for $.75 at a charity shop. I love it!

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  12. Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]March 4, 2011 at 1:25 AM

    Hiya - am very late checking out everyone's thrift finds this week! Those jars are lovely, what a bargain

    Lakota x

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  13. Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]March 4, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    ps. I thought I had been following you previously, but obviously not! Anyway, I am now

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  14. A Shabby Moment in TimeMarch 24, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    I just found one myself almost exactly like the shorter rounder one you have. Mine also has the fancy writing on the lid. What do you think they are worth? I'd love to know since I got a great bargain too.
    Blessings and Hugs,
    Karen

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  15. Jennifer@Woodley CottageMay 18, 2011 at 1:29 PM

    hi there! I just stumbled across your blog while researching a Le Parfait jar a shagged while thrifting today. I'm your newest follower -- you have a super blog!
    Jennifer

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  16. MichelleMay 24, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    I found your site while googling Le Parfait jars as well, great minds think alike :) Amazing deal on the jars, I found my first two at VV for $2 each and am hooked. I finally bit the bullet and ordered some at full price from Amazon.

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  17. SixBalloonsJune 25, 2011 at 10:06 PM

    Thanks for all the lovely comments! Yes, quite the bargain on these - I think their actual value is between $10-15 a piece, but the vintage ones don't seem to be extremely common.

    I had a chance to look at some newer ones and their inscriptions are less detailed than these old ones, i.e. the bottoms are unmarked with the volume, and there are fewer raised details/lettering.

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  18. MaryJune 26, 2011 at 6:58 AM

    I have two of these that are newer, but I still love them nonetheless. I would love to find a few more of them. The ones I have are absolutely perfect for homemade butter and whipped honey butter.

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  19. Pearlann66July 2, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    they are super cute!

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  20. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2012 at 3:41 AM

    Hi! We use "Le Parfait" mason jar all the time here in France and you can find lots of different types. I love them! Here is another way you could use them: http://operationcocooning.blogspot.fr/2012/07/faire-de-leau-aromatisee-maison.html
    =)

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  21. UnknownJuly 9, 2021 at 4:31 PM

    My husband came across this kind of jar as soon as i seen it i was amazed

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  22. UnknownNovember 6, 2021 at 8:41 AM

    How much are the old ones today? I just found couple of those.

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