Page 29 - May-JOA-22

Crowning

Glories

1.

3.
WEDDING CAKE

TOPPERS

By Donald-Brian Johnson

he sun shines merrily, in a “for show,” surrounded by pans of sheet cake
2. brilliant blue sky. The birds are “for eating.” Or, it could be a simple home- 4.
Tchirping, the church bells ring. made affair, lovingly assembled and hand-
The radiant bride and her glowing frosted by Grandma.
groom have at last shouldered their But tall or tiny, chances are that, at the
way through the shower of well-wishers, making a grand cake’s very tiptop, stands a platform with two miniature figures serenely
entrance at the wedding reception. surveying the happy (and hungry) crowd. A bride. A groom. Put them
Maybe that reception is being held at an elegant country club … together, and you have what’s known as a “cake topper.”
a crepe-paper festooned rental hall … or perhaps even a cozy church
basement. Regardless of location, the newly-united pair are ready for Something Old: The First Cakes and Toppers
their closeup. Right now, they’re posed cheek-to-cheek behind another
of the day’s star attractions: the wedding cake. Smiles are wide, as
overlapping hands grasp a decorative knife, poised to cut that first
festive slice at the photographer’s command.
Perhaps this wedding cake is a toweringly elegant confection, adorned
with candied roses and ribbons, miniature Grecian pillars supporting
the many layers. Maybe it’s a much smaller cake, one festively decorated

Wonderful facial features highlight this These topper figures feature celluloid
crepe paper pair, circa 1930. faces, crepe paper, and net clothing.
Marked “A Reed Product, The cake frosting flowers are original!
C.A. Reed—Williamsport, PA.” Circa 1930, $50-$75.
Groom 5-1/2”. $175-$200/pr.

Wedding cakes have been around for almost as long as weddings
themselves. However, the flat wheat cakes of ancient Rome and the
honey-and-sesame concoctions of classic Greece bear little resemblance
to the sweet treats we’re familiar with today. Rather than serving as a
focal point for the wedding feast, these biscuit-sized “wedding cakes”
were intended as symbols of fertility. Several were eaten by the bride
and groom; then, in those pre-rice-throwing days, the remaining
Crepe paper bridal party with hand-painted detailing, circa 1920. crumbs were tossed over the bride’s head.
Groom, 4-3/4” h. $300-$325/set.

Title images: 1. Chalkware couple, circa 1940. Unlike most toppers, the bride is on the opposite side. Groom, 5-1/4” h. $75-$100.
2. Romance, 1990s-style. An embracing couple, captured in a swirling pose. Groom, 4” h. $35-$50.
3. Elegant paper-maché couple, dating from 1995, and made by the Joseph F. Finch Co. for "Golden Wedding Whiskey." Groom, 7-1/2" h. $15-$20.
4. Bisque couple, 1920s. The bride carries silk-tied fabric flowers. Groom, 6” h. $75-$100.

May 2022 27