Object Description
Collection of eight American pewter ice cream moulds
American, Early 20th Century
Largest: Height 11cm, width 9cm, depth 7cm
Smallest: Height 4cm, diameter 9.5cm
Popular from the mid-19th century onwards, ice cream moulds were seen as a way of combining delicious ingredients with pleasing visual designs. As with this collection, the moulds would have been crafted from heavy pewter, and would comprise of a two-piece hinged apparatus with a delicate design (here fruit or floral). When used, the ice cream would have been spooned into the mould, before closing and freezing it to set the ice cream into the shape of the mould.
Some of this collection is marked, with the stamps ‘S & Co. (Schall & Co.) and E & Co., NY (Epplesheimer & Co.), as well as some catalogue numbers. These American companies were two of the most prominent manufacturers of pewter moulds at the turn of the 20th century, which testifies to the historical authenticity of this collection. Both Schall & Co. and Epplesheimer & Co. were renowned for designing expertly detailed products, which this collection exemplifies.
Full of unique charm and character, this eclectic set would make a superb addition to any collection of antiques.