Sign in or 
- EasyEdit
- Edit tags
-
(what's this?What are these tools?
People just like you can add or edit the content on this site. If you want to try editing, but aren't ready to add to this site, try our demo area.
Read more about editing pages at Wetpaint Central.
) - Report page
Share this
Chocolate Molds
Chocolate molds are the tangible evidence of the almost universal predilection for the sweet, rich mixture of cacao butter, sugar, and chocolate liqueur that can be shaped into a dizzying array of symbolic and figural forms.
The most popular figures with collectors are those related to holidays (rabbits, turkeys, pumpkins, Santas), but almost any avocation or interest is likely to have been the subject of a chocolate mold. The most sought-after figures relate to Christmas, including Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Saint Nicholas—four cultural variations on a theme. Christmas figures are a prime example of a cross-collectible, as popular with Christmas-theme collectors as with mold collectors. The most commonly found holiday figure is the Easter rabbit, thanks to Easter’s preeminent position as the most significant chocolate holiday.
Two-piece metal chocolate molds were first made in France in the mid 19th century, with the Parisian firm Maison Letang Fils advertising their molds as early as 1845. By the turn of the century, three prominent German firms—Hermann Walter, J.G. Laurosch, and Anton Reiche—were making molds. In the U.S., Eppelsheimer started manufacturing molds about 1880.
Chocolate’s world-wide popularity supported a brisk business in mold-making that lasted through World War II. The golden era of molds was in the 1920s and ’30s, when production and subject variety was at its peak. Eventually, the confectionary industry converted to plastic molds.
There are three categories of molds: full-figures (three-dimensional figures, either hollow or solid, made in a two-piece mold), flats (one-piece open molds, producing a figure with detail on only one side), and book molds (in which the frame holds a number of identical, small images with detail on both sides). The most valuable and sought-after molds are the full-figures.
Most molds were stamped with a maker’s mark. Unmarked molds may have never been stamped, or the mark may have worn and become illegible. Clearly marked molds are more valuable, but because of the specific stylistic vocabulary of the most prominent makers, it is often possible to attribute an unmarked mold. Today, the most valuable molds are the work of Anton Reiche, who worked in Dresden from 1870 until the mid 1930s. His molds are considered the gold standard for their detail and workmanship.
Prices of chocolate molds depend on condition, age, the rarity of the figure, decorative detail, and the mold’s maker. When considering a purchase, make sure the two halves of the mold match (they should be stamped with identical numbers). The inside should be free of rust, and observe the level of detail. Older molds have more detail, and generally command higher prices.
The most popular figures with collectors are those related to holidays (rabbits, turkeys, pumpkins, Santas), but almost any avocation or interest is likely to have been the subject of a chocolate mold. The most sought-after figures relate to Christmas, including Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, and Saint Nicholas—four cultural variations on a theme. Christmas figures are a prime example of a cross-collectible, as popular with Christmas-theme collectors as with mold collectors. The most commonly found holiday figure is the Easter rabbit, thanks to Easter’s preeminent position as the most significant chocolate holiday.
Two-piece metal chocolate molds were first made in France in the mid 19th century, with the Parisian firm Maison Letang Fils advertising their molds as early as 1845. By the turn of the century, three prominent German firms—Hermann Walter, J.G. Laurosch, and Anton Reiche—were making molds. In the U.S., Eppelsheimer started manufacturing molds about 1880.
Chocolate’s world-wide popularity supported a brisk business in mold-making that lasted through World War II. The golden era of molds was in the 1920s and ’30s, when production and subject variety was at its peak. Eventually, the confectionary industry converted to plastic molds.
There are three categories of molds: full-figures (three-dimensional figures, either hollow or solid, made in a two-piece mold), flats (one-piece open molds, producing a figure with detail on only one side), and book molds (in which the frame holds a number of identical, small images with detail on both sides). The most valuable and sought-after molds are the full-figures.
Most molds were stamped with a maker’s mark. Unmarked molds may have never been stamped, or the mark may have worn and become illegible. Clearly marked molds are more valuable, but because of the specific stylistic vocabulary of the most prominent makers, it is often possible to attribute an unmarked mold. Today, the most valuable molds are the work of Anton Reiche, who worked in Dresden from 1870 until the mid 1930s. His molds are considered the gold standard for their detail and workmanship.
Prices of chocolate molds depend on condition, age, the rarity of the figure, decorative detail, and the mold’s maker. When considering a purchase, make sure the two halves of the mold match (they should be stamped with identical numbers). The inside should be free of rust, and observe the level of detail. Older molds have more detail, and generally command higher prices.
|
jsonderg |
Latest page update: made by jsonderg
, Apr 19 2007, 12:59 PM EDT
(about this update
About This Update
Edited by jsonderg
view changes - complete history) |
|
More Info: links to this page
|
| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anonymous | chocolate molds,rabbit | 0 | Feb 3 2009, 2:27 PM EST by Anonymous | ||
|
|
Thread started: Feb 3 2009, 2:27 PM EST
Watch
If signed, where on the object would the most likely place be?
|
||||
Showing 1 of 1 threads for this page
