Assembled Confectioners Icing Set, Small & Shattell

Edwardian

Circa early 20th century | Australia and England

A unique early twentieth century confectioners icing set including a syringe, and icing tips all in a metal box. This assembled set of icing tips includes a majority of tips made by the firm Small & Shattell which was established in Melbourne in 1889. The firm supplied all the needs of the major biscuit and confectionery firms throughout Australasia (see The Gen). It also includes icing tips from the renowned English brand Tala and others from an unknown English maker. The box contains over 60 icing tips including a small number which are unmarked. The stainless-steel syringe has a brass end, a screw mount for attaching tips and a rubber seal.

This is a truly unique collector’s piece of Australian history, as useful today as when it was first made.

DIMENSIONS: Box Length 21 cm, Width 10.5 cm, and Syringe Length 16 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Impressed with a variety of marks including “SMALL & SHATTEL FITZROY MELBOURNE”, “Tala MADE IN ENGLAND" and “ENGLAND" and a small number of unmarked pieces (see The Gen).

CONDITION: Excellent condition, with wear commensurate with antique age and use of such items.

REFERENCES: For a similar boxed cake icing set see Object No, K1206-26 at the Powerhouse Museum.

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THE GEN

“Small and Shattell, Bread, Biscuit and Confectionery Machinery Engineers, 45, 47, 49 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. This firm—the foremost of its kind in the States—was established in 1889 by the present partners, Mr H.M. Small and Mr W.T. Shattell, natives of England. Both these gentlemen have had a long and practical experience in the above special lines. After many years’ experience in the leading manufactories of both biscuits and biscuit machinery in England, they left London for Victoria, and on arrival in Melbourne founded their present prosperous business. The firm have a very large connection, and number amongst their customers nearly all the biscuit and confectionery firms throughout Australasia. Establishing themselves in Smith Street, Fitzroy, the rapid expansion of business necessitated removal to more commodious premises, specially erected for their requirements in Johnston Street. The works are replete with a special machinery plant for the manufacture of all classes of bread and biscuit machinery (the intricacies of biscuit-cutter making being specially interesting, and necessitating highly-skilled mechanics), confectionery machinery and jam-making plants. The firm are also manufacturers and builders of several varieties of the ovens used in the bread and biscuit trades, amongst which are travelling chain ovens, reel ovens, their ‘Climax’ continuous ovens (many of which are in use in the various States), and the ordinary furnace ovens. Their specialities include flour sifters, dough kneaders, dough brakes (for hand or power), biscuit gauging, cutting and panning machines, and all the accessories requisite for biscuit manufacturing.” (The Cyclopedia of Victoria, 1903–1905, Vol. 1, pp 584–585)

“Taylor Law & Co Ltd was established in 1899, by Frederick Taylor and Thomas Law, to satisfy the developing Victorian kitchenware and hardware market across Britain. They produced a wide range of metal goods for the kitchen and garden which proved to be successful and the workforce grew. The factory created products that ranged from baking pans and icing syringes to make delicious homemade food. After the (First World) war, Thomas Law’s son, Frank took over. He combined the founders’ names to create the ‘Tala’ brand as we know it today. Continuing to supply Britain with a developing range of kitchenware gadgets and icing equipment, Tala was quickly becoming a household name.” Read more about the history of Tala. 

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