This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

Pastry shops used molds like these to create large cookies out of gingerbread or colored sugar dough, similar to the tiny "Devisen" cookies popular among children. The mold evokes the early tradition of traveling carnivals and circuses in Switzerland, with two equestrian performers on one side and a Cabinet of Curiosities - the children peek into a box of "Schöne Raritäten," or wondrous rarities - and bear tamer on the other. Not only does the mold convey its Swiss roots in the style and costume of the carved figures, but also equestrian performers were beloved in Switzerland and the bear was the symbol of the Swiss capital of Bern, where tamed dancing bears were a popular tourist attraction. This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

This object was once part of the folk art collection of Elie Nadelman (1882-1946), the avant-garde sculptor. From 1924 to 1934, Nadelman's collection was displayed in his Museum of Folk Arts, located in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. The Historical Society purchased Nadelman's entire collection in 1937.

Molds created in New York were often elaborate and large, depicting major events of the day or simply embellished with symbols of luck and the new year. One of the most famous mold makers was John Conger, who was actually a baker by trade, but who oversaw a workshop of carvers in New York City that created some of the finest molds made in this country. Conger's period of activity ran from about 1825 to 1845. Conger molds have often survived in better shape than most because he used dense Honduran mahogany, which held up better under repeated washings.

Molds created in New York were often elaborate and large, depicting major events of the day or simply embellished with symbols of luck and the new year. One of the most famous mold makers was John Conger, who was actually a baker by trade, but who oversaw a workshop of carvers in New York City that created some of the finest molds made in this country. Conger's period of activity ran from about 1825 to 1845. Conger molds have often survived in better shape than most because he used dense Honduran mahogany, which held up better under repeated washings.

Molds created in New York were often elaborate and large, depicting major events of the day or simply embellished with symbols of luck and the new year. One of the most famous mold makers was John Conger, who was actually a baker by trade, but who oversaw a workshop of carvers in New York City that created some of the finest molds made in this country. Conger's period of activity ran from about 1825 to 1845. Conger molds have often survived in better shape than most because he used dense Honduran mahogany, which held up better under repeated washings. According to New York City directories, William Farrow was active as a baker in Manhattan from 1815-1819 and 1822-1835.