Cakes and baking

The British biscuit tin came about when the Licensed Grocer's Act of 1861 allowed groceries to be individually packaged and sold. Coinciding with the removal of the duty on paper for printed labels it was only a short step to the idea of printing directly on to tinplate. The new process of offset lithography, patented in 1877 allowed multicoloured designs to be printed on to exotically shaped tins. The most exotic designs were produced in the early years of this century, just prior to the First World War. In the 1920s and 1930s, costs had risen substantially and the design of biscuit tins tended to be more conservative, with the exception of the tins targeted at the Christmas market and intended to appeal primarily to children. The designs, generally speaking are a barometer of popular interests. The advent of the Second World War stopped all production of decorative tin ware and after it ended in 1945, the custom never really revived.

The British biscuit tin came about when the Licensed Grocer's Act of 1861 allowed groceries to be individually packaged and sold. Coinciding with the removal of the duty on paper for printed labels. It was only a short step to the idea of printing directly on to tinplate. The new process of offset lithography, patented in 1877 allowed multicoloured designs to be printed on to exotically shaped tins. The most exotic designs were produced in the early years of this century, just prior to the First World War. In the 1920s and 1930s, costs had risen substantially and the design of biscuit tins tended to be more conservative, with the exception of the tins targeted at the Christmas market and intended to appeal primarily to children. The designs, generally speaking are a barometer of popular interests. The advent of the Second World War stopped all production of decorative tin ware and after it ended in 1945, the custom never really revived.

Object TypeWooden moulds were use to impress patterns on the top surface of pieces of gingerbread. Gingerbread, a flat dry cake flavoured with ginger, was traditionally sold at fairs from medieval times until the 20th century. Pieces of gingerbread with gold leaf applied on top were called 'fairings'. There was a gingerbread stall at St Bartholomew's Fair, held in London every year from 1123 until 1850.Subjects DepictedThis mould has a carved picture on each side. On one side is a horse-drawn coach with a driver. On the other is a man in a top hat on a hobby horse. This was an early bicycle without pedals, pushed along by the feet, which was in use between about 1817 and 1830.Materials & MakingThis mould is carved from beech, which was sometimes used for gingerbread but which was not as suitable as the more expensive boxwood, pearwood, applewood or other fruitwoods, which are smooth and hard when carved. There are patterns on each side to save on space and materials.Ownership & UseThis mould was bought by a collector from an elderly baker in Lewes, East Sussex, in about 1890. It would have been used to make gingerbread for sale in the shop or at fairs.

Baking dish