Miniature Creamware Culinary Mould ‘Pineapple’

Georgian

Circa 1780 | England

An exceedingly rare small, almost miniature, antique creamware culinary mould sitting on the daintiest of three peg feet, from the late eighteenth century. The inner sides are fluted and the centre has an intricately detailed mould for a pineapple. Pineapples were a status symbol in eighteenth century England (see The Gen). These moulds were made by Wedgwood amongst other makers and were used to make blancmange.

DIMENSIONS: Length 9.5 cm, Width 7.6 cm, Height 3.9 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Unmarked

CONDITION: In very good condition, with wear commensurate with antique age and use of such a piece. There is some staining, minor chips and cracks but it would be almost surprising if it didn’t show these signs of use given it is over 250 years old and was made to be used. These all add to the history of the piece and wonder of the stories it could tell.

REFERENCES: For an example of a creamware mould by Wedgwood with pineapple decoration see the mould held at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Accession Number WE.4480-2014. 

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THE GEN

“They became a sign of hospitality and of generosity. Pineapples would be the centrepiece at dinner parties, not eaten but viewed, almost revered. Some would even rent a pineapple for an evening and carry it around like an accessory! It is clear that having a pineapple was a huge status symbol. They were incorporated into sculpture, civic architecture, design in private houses, courts and statues. You can see pineapples atop St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, but perhaps the most impressive is the giant stone behemoth that sits astride the archway of Dunmore House in Falkirk. Here you can actually stay in the pineapple shaped building. Pineapples even featured in much of contemporary literature including Charles Dickens’ novel ‘David Copperfield’ in which the protagonist himself was fascinated by the pineapples he saw in Covent Garden.” Read more about the history of the glorious pineapple on Historic UK. 

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