Topic: Jelly(?) mould Reg.No.547034 - ID = W. A. Bailey

[Anne E.B.]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/glassie/003-4.jpg

This mould has the Reg.No.540734 and No.7324 impressed on the base, but the Reg.No. doesn't appear on Great Glass' list of Registered Design numbers.  I've only been able to date it to c.1910.

Does anyone know the maker please?  Also, the mould looks quite plain.  Any ideas what it might have been used for?

TIA 

[Lustrousstone]

Looks more like a mould for potted meat or brawn to me. I'm sure I can remember seeing them in that sort of mould at the pork butcher when I was a child

[Anne E.B.]

That's what I thought.  Very Upstairs & Downstairs - with unidentifiable animal body bits in aspic   Although I do remember seeing brawn in posh butcher shops when I was young (not in Victorian times tho )  I googled aspic and found a website with recipes.  According to them "aspic enjoyed something of a revival in the 1970s at dinner parties."  I must have slept through that.  I don't think I'll wait for another revival.

[Frank]

... found a website with recipes.  According to them "aspic enjoyed something of a revival in the 1970s at dinner parties."

They got it wrong UK revival was in the late 50s, my mother was really into it - I found the texture disgusting... food in slime. If they did it again in the 70s it was a 'retro' revival already 

[Sue C]

Hi Anne, from the depth's of my memory i seem to recall these were called "Bird Cage Moulds" but dont quote me !!
Try here http://www.historicfood.com/cake%20moulds.htm#balmoral they may be able to help.

[Bernard C]

Anne - From what I can see of the inscription, and from the whole shape, it looks very like the same range as the individual portion sized creme caramel mould decorated on the outside (so you know it's not a below stairs demould) with a scallop motif, if my memory is correct.    If it is, then it may well be the below stairs demould creme caramel mould for situations where equal sized portions were not necessarily appropriate, such as a family with young children.   The well-equipped kitchen would have had both styles, to enable them to cater for either situation - indeed they may have been sold as 1+6 or 1+8 sets.

Unfortunately I can't remember the Reg No on the individual creme caramel mould, nor its registree.   Would some kind soul pass this information on, please.

Bernard C. 

[Bernard C]

Would someone please let me know if my previous reply makes sense, or is it gibberish?   It reads OK to me, but then I know what it is supposed to mean!

Bernard C. 

[David E]

When I first saw this topic, I did look up the Reg. Design and noted that 540934 is very close, but this was registered by Walsh Walsh. Knowing very little about the company, and that Bernard is commenting, I didn't post a reply then as it seemed rather stupid - perhaps it is, but...?!

[Anne E.B.]

Thanks for your comments folks

It does look like a bird cage Sue - for a small song bird! 

Bernard - its reads okay to me   but I'm not familiar with the term demould.  It holds 1 pint of liquid, so I don't think this would be an individual portion size, but perhaps one of the family size ones you mention.  Mind you, I personally could easily scoff a pint of creme caramel with no help at all     

[Anne]

Anne, is it possible that you still have this? If so, can you add a closeup shot of the registration number please?