Benham & Froud Copper Jelly Mould ‘Castellated’

Victorian

Circa mid to late 19th century | England

An antique copper jelly mould decorated with an elaborate castellated design by the preeminent maker of copper moulds, Benham & Froud. Copper moulds became popular in the mid-nineteenth century following the Great Exhibition in 1851. They were used extensively in the Victorian kitchen (see The Gen). 

DIMENSIONS: Diameter 13.5 cm, Height 11cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Stamped with the orb and cross mark (see The Gen) and pattern number 340.

CONDITION: In very good condition, wear consistent with an antique age and use. There are no holes or repairs. 

All my antique copper comes in as found ‘unrestored’ condition with the years of history retained in the lovely patina created by surface marks made by ordinary kitchen use. The choice then becomes yours whether to have the item polished, or the tin relined, and a decorative item can once more become a treasured new kitchen utensil to be loved and used by a new gen. At times an item may already have been lovingly polished by a previous owner and the copper will show off its rosy glow. Whether polished or not, the patina adds to the history of the item and wonder of the stories it could tell.

REFERENCES: See a group lot of similar Benham & Froud moulds that was auctioned at Christie’s on 24 May 2017, Lot 269.

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THE GEN

“The English-made copper food mold of five inches or more in height was a vital part of the Victorian kitchen on both sides of the Atlantic. For Victorians, the mold ‘spoke of habits and tastes,’ both literal and cultural. It supplied decorative character to the table and implications about one’s civilized habits and social position. Mold images of royalty, expensive pets, and famous lodgings such as the Belgrave, the Savoy, and the Carlton abounded! In 1897, the vogue of the American social season was large molded gelatin or ice-cream ‘gems,’ presented in such a way that guests would receive ‘a slice of flashing ruby, or a spoonful of emeralds’.” (Dining in America 1850–1900, Kathryn Grover, The University of Massachusetts Press, 1987, pp 55–56)

The ‘orb and cross’ mark which appears on some Benham & Froud copper moulds is a homage to the cross atop St Paul’s in London which the firm designed in 1821.

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