Page 58 - JOAApril21

Journal of Antiques and Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to present:

Asheford Institute of Antiques
www.asheford.com
APPRAISERS CORNER A Commitment to Excellence Since 1966

Certified Appraisal Training

Hello Mr. Dawson – Hello Ginny and thank you for the great submission.
I recently picked up this mold at an antique shop but don’t know what By the pictures you have sent, it looks like you have is a very old
it would be used for chocolate molds I've seen typically are one big mold or Pewter hard candy mold. Of course, these molds were used for just
several medium ones welded together. This one seems quite small and looks about anything edible. Some uses were for ice cream, chocolate, sugar
old. What can you tell me about this piece? It looks like it is worn down, and candies of all kinds, ice cubes, etc. These molds were usually made
but still has a lot of detail showing up. I am going to keep it in a shadow from iron, pewter, or zinc and were malleable but could take tempera-
box. Is that a good way to keep this? Is it worth anything? Any information tures both hot and cold without cracking.
you can give me is going to go in the box as well. I attribute the craft of making clear sugar candies to peoples in
Ginny Germany. The Pennsylvania German immigrants get the credit for
starting the tradition in the United States. By the 1860s it was the rage
in Europe, England, and the U.S. to make a clear toy or barley sugar
candies using this type of mold. With the availability of cane sugar, it
was very inexpensive to make these tasty treats.
These molds were made in a variety of shapes and sizes. There
were many European and US mold makers. Many molds are marked
with a maker’s name and many are not. Popular were molds of every
conceivable form such as animals, toys, musical instruments, vehicles,
and characters of the time. One popular type of mold was the toy
shown actual size mold made in the shape of wagons, horses, etc. that when the hard
candies were made, Children played with until they broke, and then
they could be eaten.
I would have to see this mold in person to see what material it
is constructed of, but it is my opinion by the pictures given that
your antique unmarked
mold is a two-piece
non-hinged pewter
mold. It is approxi-
mately 3 ½ inches long
with each half being 1
3/8 inches wide. The
mold was made to
resemble a mid to late
19th century girl carry-
ing a basket. It is in
very good condition
with some wear to the
high points and design
lines. This type of
mold did not have hinges so it would have been tied or clamped when
the fluid was poured and left to harden. Hinged candy molds were
made to keep the molds aligned properly and to keep them from
shifting while the candy hardened inside.
I am often asked the question; is it safe to use old pewter? I always
air on the side of safety and say no it is not safe to use your old 18th or
19th century pewter because they might have lead content. Pewter in
the old days was made of a combination of lead and tin. So, I would say
you are safe in not using your pewter mold. Enjoy it for the wonderful
antique it is. That shadowbox is the ideal place to enjoy it. I believe that
after lead was deemed harmful to one’s health, pewter was created by a
combination of tin and copper or antimony instead of tin and lead.
If I were to see this delightful mold for sale at a toy auction or show,
I would expect to pay $60/$70.
Thank you, Ginny, for this wonderful antique candy mold. Enjoy it
in your shadowbox and dream of the sweet treats it has made.

– David Moore, CPAA
Certified Professional Antiques Appraiser
The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques
have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help
you learn more about and value your finds. Do you have questions about David Moore is part of the “Ask the Experts” appraising team for the
something you have acquired? We welcome your questions and photos. Send Asheford Institute of Antiques where he is an Honors graduate and a
your information to editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Certified Asheford Institute of Antiques Appraiser. Mr. Moore has
Antiques & Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers been buying, researching and selling the rare and unusual in antiques
Corner. To learn more about becoming a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit for over 50 years. David is currently the owner of D.L. Moore, CAA,
an antiques appraisal business.
www.asheford.com or call the Admissions Office toll free at 877-444-4508.
56 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles