Collecting vintage jelly moulds quickly becomes an obsession! It takes patience, dedication and an eye for detail, but the result can be truly rewarding! Whether you’re just getting started with your collection or have been searching for unique finds for years, learning how to collect and display vintage jelly moulds can be tremendous fun. From rare mid-century designs to stunning rare antiques, these decorative objects can add charm and character to any home. Let’s discuss the benefits of collecting vintage jelly moulds as well as provide helpful tips on where to find them and how to display them in your home.
Jelly has been made since the 13th century, but the moulds began to take shape in the 18th century, to be popularised by the Victorians and inevitably Mrs Beaton.
Where To Find Vintage Jelly Moulds
Are you looking to add something eye-catching to your kitchen? Or perhaps you're searching for a unique hobby that will make visitors’ jaws drop. Either way, collecting and displaying old jelly moulds is something worthwhile!
Where can one find such treasures? Well, the internet makes it easy when shops like Moody Mabel, and other online stores carry vintage kitchenalia; so have a good browse and see what's available. Don't forget to keep an eye out in antique shops too—you never know when you'll stumble across something special! We collect a fair few at auctions.Occasionally collections will appear at auctions. Such collections are usually themed by the maker brand, or a style, for example, someone who has been trying to make all of the Mrs Beaton recipes.
Cleaning And Polishing Your Treasures
Once you've tracked down antique jelly moulds, it's time to get them looking their best. Cleaning and polishing the moulds will help ensure they look great on display in your home.
The cleaning process starts with a good scrubbing using warm water and washing up liquid. You'll want to make sure all of the nooks and crannies are free from dust and dirt so that when you bring out your moulds, they have an inviting shine. More importantly, they will be ready to use! Be gentle though - too much force or abrasive materials can damage the delicate details that give these pieces such character!
After a thorough wash, inspect each piece for signs of wear and tear like chips and cracks, and dry thoroughly. This applies whether your moulds are glass, ceramic or metal. Now you're ready to move on to the next step - displaying vintage jelly moulds!
Creating A Display For Your Moulds
Nothing is quite as delightful and captivating as the sight of a beautiful collection of vintage jelly moulds! Whether it’s an intricate array of shapes or one-of-a-kind designs, these lovely pieces are sure to stimulate your creative spirit. But how do you create the perfect display for them? We can help you turn any space into a spectacular showcase for your finds.
Start by gathering all your favourite moulds together in one place – this could be on shelves, hooks, stands or even a wall. You can hang up some larger versions while arranging smaller ones along a shelf. Then, add lighting to make them stand out – this could be LEDs or spotlights that draw attention to each piece. If you have enough room, you could use multiple light sources around different parts of the display. Experiment with both soft and bright lights until you find what works best for your unique set-up. With these tips, you'll be able to create an eye-catching arrangement that's worthy of any kitchen.
Please remember that old jelly moulds are reasonably heavy, especially ceramic ones and must be supported properly wherever they are displayed. There is, after all, no sense in displaying something that may fall and shatter. At Moody Mabel we tend to display glass moulds face down so their outline can be seen. Many ceramic moulds are plain and smooth on the outside so should be displayed on their side to show the intricate detail inside. The exception to this is jelly/blancmange moulds with advertising on the side.
Welsh dressers make a really fine display point.
Maintaining Your Collection Of Vintage Jelly Moulds
Collecting vintage jelly moulds can be an adventure - you never know what treasures you'll find, or where your journey will take you. But once you have gathered all the pieces for your collection, it's time to make sure they stay in good condition. Maintaining a vintage jelly mould collection requires a few steps that may seem daunting at first, but are quite simple and easy to do.
The key to preserving these delicate pieces is to give them occasional cleaning with soft cloths dampened with lukewarm water and non-abrasive soap. Avoid harsh chemicals, as these can damage the details of each design. This is particularly true of the metal moulds which may react with the chemicals.
Storing your collection properly also plays an important role in keeping it looking its best. When possible, store moulds individually so they don't rub up against one another; this could cause scratches or chips in the surface material which can detract from their value.
So…..
Collecting and displaying vintage jelly moulds is a rewarding hobby. As the art of jelly making has evolved, so too have the designs of jelly moulds become more intricate and often beautiful pieces of kitchenalia.
Enjoy, and make jelly!
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