another game of "what is it?"

[cogar]

My FIL had a bunch of these that he ended up selling, all different shapes.

Ah so, then there is a good chance that they were ... Cast Plaster Molds ....... for making decorative ceilings, etc. Like these leaves, to wit:



Here is where one can buy that plaster mold.

http://www.victorialarsen.com/Plaster%20Molds/Pages/plaster_Spring_Leaves_Mold.htm

[mariok54]

I'm definitely with you there, Cogar .... 

[KC]

Okay.....I remember seeing these in the past.....

In the late 1800's to early 1900's it was still a REAL TREAT to get ice cream.....(before the modern refrigerators/freezers).
They made all kinds of ice cream molds to impress at gatherings!
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-PEWTER-ICE-CREAM-MOLD-S-CO-203-DISH-ANTIQUE_W0QQitemZ170559299965QQcategoryZ13926QQcmdZViewItem

You will find all kinds....

I like the plaster idea....but wouldn't it take forever to dry without any air holes to allow for evaporation?

[talesofthesevenseas]

I agree that it's for edibles. They used to do a lot more decorative things with food than they do now, particularly with desserts. We have an old chocolate shop in San Jose CA called Schurrahs where they still use the old chocolate molds from back in the day and you can get an easter bunny riding a 1920's motorcycle and all kinds of neat stuff. There's also an antique store here with a whole shelf full of ice cream molds. These are now very collectable and you can get pretty good $$ for them. Hmmm... I'm hosting Christmas dinner this year, maybe I should look a little closer at those molds... ;-)

[talesofthesevenseas]

Correction, it's Santa on a motorcycle. Here he is:

[waywardangler]

I am not with you on the edible ice cream/chocolate mold for this object.  They were made differently and did not need the weight concentrated in cast iron as in this fern leaf mold.  JMO.  What were the other shapes your father had marcylove and what did he say they were used for or where did he get them?

[KC]

I don't believe it was for ice cream either....but just had to throw it out there wayward!    Gets people lookin' for new items!!!!  Naughty me!

[talesofthesevenseas]

True, the ice cream ones are different, they usually have about a half inch edge on them and a ring that clips to the edge to keep them closed, but I really thought this was a candy mold. Darn!

[talesofthesevenseas]

Here's photos from the local antique shop and turns out they are listed as chocolate molds, not ice cream. I think someone must have told me that in error when I was in there or I misunderstood and these are quite different from Marcyloves:

[waywardangler]

I think marcylove's item falls more into the category of a combination press and mold.  

BINGO!!!!

Unusual Small Flower / Leaf Irons  These are the tools that were used in the antique millinery, dressmaking, costume-making, and other assorted fabric trades to make beautiful silk and velvet flowers that adorned the fancy hats and clothing of the day.  After the fabric was starched it would have been pressed between the two heated halves of these pressing molds to emboss the design.  Typically these brass and iron tools are found in much larger sizes.  The smallest one here measures about 1 inch and the largest one about 2.5 inches.  All three of these small leaf irons are intricately detailed and make for a great display.
Good . . . . .  $85.00  Each       SOLD

From  http://www.antiqbuyer.com/All_Archives/IRONS_ARCHIVE/flower.htm

Larger ones are also pictured and go for $100-$200 each.

[CuriousCollector]

Wayward -- well done!  And what a nifty item!

[mariok54]

Well done Wayward ... and what did Marcy suggest in her very first post!!!!
Well done Marcy!!

[marcylove]

HA! I was RIGHT!  should've bet hubby something!

I broke out the playdough, a tortilla, and a wet paper towel...here's what happened...

[marcylove]

and this one...

[marcylove]

Thanks wayward and everyone else!  I love these threads!!