Pewter Ice-Cream Mould ‘Apricot’

Victorian

Circa mid to late 19th century | England

A pewter ice-cream mould shaped in naturalistic form to represent an apricot. Pewter moulds were used to make highly decorative cream or water ices, and sorbets, which were popular in the Victorian era. These decorative ices were so popular that the ‘Queen of Ices’, Mrs Agnes Bertha Marshall, was one of the most successful entrepreneurs in late Victorian England (see The Gen). 

DIMENSIONS: Length 5 cm.

SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Unmarked.

CONDITION: In very good condition, with wear commensurate with antique age and use of such a piece. 

REFERENCES: For examples of similar small moulds see page 13 of the advertisements in Fancy Ices, Mrs A.B. Marshall, 1894 where they were advertised to be sold by the dozen! Also, see similar moulds at the Powerhouse Museum, Object No. A7651.

~~~~~~~~~~~

THE GEN

Mrs Marshall was a true businesswoman and marketer extraordinaire, perhaps the first celebrity chef. She not only wrote cookbooks and a weekly newspaper called ‘The Table’; ran a cookery school and employment agency; invented a patented freezer; ran a store which sold amongst other items over 1000 different varieties of moulds; but she also cross-promoted it all in her various publications and in 1888 during her 19-city cross-country lecture tour ‘A Pretty Luncheon’.

By the time the tour was over Mrs Marshall was one of the most famous women in England. Her greatest passion was ice-cream and frozen desserts, hence her moniker the ‘Queen of Ices’.

~~~~~~~~~~~