Collected in Beijing more than twenty years ago, this set of three antique carved wooden pastry molds was purchased at the famous Panjiayuan Antique Market (潘家园旧货市场), also known as the Dirt Market or Ghost Market, while I was living in China.
Each mold shows beautiful evidence of long practical use, with richly aged wood, softened carving, worn edges, and the kind of hand-polished patina that only comes from decades of handling.
The molds feature a variety of traditional motifs including fish (abundance), bats (fortune), fans (elegance, wisdom, status), floral elements, and auspicious coin-like medallions. The darkest mold also retains four corner mounting holes, likely from an earlier press or production system.
Today, these molds make wonderful decorative objects for a collected kitchen, butler's pantry, bookshelf, or gallery wall. They are equally at home in traditional, Palm Beach, chinoiserie, and grandmillennial interiors.
Not mass-market. Not reproduction. Not something you'll see twice.
DETAILS
• Set of three antique Chinese carved wooden pastry molds
• Acquired in Beijing in 2005
• Hand-carved wood with age-related wear and patina
• Fish, bat, fan, tiger, and medallion motifs
• Sold as a set
MEASUREMENTS
• Largest mold: 12" L x 3" W
• Medallion mold: 11" L x 2" W
• Fish, bat, fan & cat mold: 10.5" L x 2" W
CONDITION
Vintage antique condition with age-related wear consistent with use and age. Surface wear, patina, carving wear, and irregularities are present and contribute to their character and authenticity. Please review all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
