H4282.1458

• california gold rush

round jello mold Cake and pudding molds of stamped tin. From the History Information Station: The pudding mold is made of stamped tin. Puddings and cakes were considered a mark of sophistication for the 19th century cook, especially on the frontier where few people in the early days could manage to cook more than the simplest foods. Desserts also served to preserve nutritious dairy products, which were always in danger of spoiling in the warm California valleys. Mixed with sugar and baked, milk, cream, and eggs lasted longer than otherwise. Tin utensils could be purchased at dry goods stores, but many areas also had traveling tinsmiths who went door-to-door with their wares. At each house the tinsmith collected dented or broken pieces and replaced them with new ones, offering a discount based on how much old tin he collected. Such a service was much appreciated in isolated towns. Inez Brooks-Myers, August 22, 2008: This is a mold, used for gelatins, puddings or perhaps cakes, not a "jello" mold as originally catalogued. Jell-O is a product name invented at the end of the 19th century.

Used: food preparation