You Scream, I Scream. . .

 We all scream for ICE CREAM!

And what could be better than ice cream?  How about ice cream molded in festive forms? Our trove currently has a collection of antique pewter ice cream molds.

With the invention of the hand-cranked ice cream maker in the 1840s, homemade ice cream became a popular treat. The Victorians, who apparently could not leave anything unadorned, began serving ice cream that had been frozen in decorative molds. From the mid-1800s through the 1950s, individual servings of ice cream molded in a variety of inventive shapes appeared at everything from holiday feasts to birthday parties to weddings. To support this craze for decorative desserts, a number of companies turned out pewter ice cream molds in thousands of shapes. In the United States, Schall and Company was established in 1854, soon followed by their major competitor, the Eppelsheimer Company. However, the introduction of packaged ice cream and commercial ice cream novelties, plus concerns about the lead content in the pewter molds, saw the demand for these molds dwindle.

These lovely lovebirds would be the perfect for upcoming Valentine's Day, or for an engagement, wedding, or anniversary celebration.  This one is marked "S& Co" for Schall and Company. As is typical of these molds, the outside is rather plain. . . 

. . .but the inside is beautifully detailed.

This chubby cherub could play Cupid for Valentine's Day.

For Halloween parties, there is this scaredy cat.

This turkey would be an appropriate ending to any Thanksgiving feast.

And for Easter luncheons, there is this little lamb.

This perky pig maybe from the European tradition that a pig is a sign of good luck and prosperity. In Germany, glücksschweinchen (good luck pigs) in the form of candy or other treats were given as gifts during Christmas and New Year's.

All posted items are for sale at Next-to-New, but things can sell quickly.