Victorian
Circa mid to late 19th century | England
A Victorian hinged pewter ice-cream mould shaped to represent a walnut. Pewter moulds were used to make highly decorative ice-cream which was 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 5.5 cm.
SIGNATURES, MARKINGS & INSCRIPTIONS: Unmarked.
CONDITION: In very good condition, with wear commensurate with antique age and use of such a piece. The mould has a lovely dark patina on the outside and inside.
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 Object No. A7651 at the Powerhouse Museum.
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THE GEN
Agnes Bertha 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; she also 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’.
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