Today's Vintage Item of the Day, an Antique Mexican Sugar Mold. This one is a larger one, stained a dark brown and just bursting with ways to add rustic charm to your decor!
You may have seen one of these around and wondered what in the world this large piece of wood with strange holes in it is for. Wonder no more!
This antique Mexican sugar mold was used for, yes, molding sugar, surprise! Right, you had probably already figured that one out, but it is a little more detailed than that.
Back in the 1800's in Mexico and the Southwestern US the kind of sugar people used was brown sugar. This was sugar full of molasses, it was rough, dark, sweet and strong. Very different stuff from the light, perfectly grained brown sugar you find in a bag at the grocery store today.
Remember, this was during a time when people who lived in rural areas traveled quite a distance to get to whatever type of store they could once a month or so, sometimes only a few times a year; it was a big occasion "going to town." Some lived close enough to town to make it a weekly trip. Most of these stores carried things like horse shoes, animal feed and farm implements along with food staples, fabric and the occasional luxury item for those who could afford it.The term general store really meant a general store and could contain just about anything.
In the Western US and Mexico the dry climate made it possible to keep sugar for along time but very few of these establishments had scales for measuring. So brown sugar was packed into these wooden molds, then tipped out and wrapped in paper and sold by the paper wrapped cone. Customers took their sugar cone(s) home and chipped off the sugar needed a little at a time.
It is highly unlikely that you will be buying your brown sugar in a paper wrapped cone shape anytime soon. So what would you do with an antique wooden Mexican sugar mold? Well, all sorts of things!
Some of the things you can do with an antique sugar mold are candle holders, growing herbs, organizing art supplies and just about anything else you could come up with! Below are a few photos of ideas. Have fun, be creative and have a vintage day!
This antique sugar mold has been used as a candle holder. These look fantastic in a fireplace for when you don't actually want a fire!
Here, adding rustic charm to a table setting, this antique sugar mold holds silverware and napkins.
Small plants brighten up this antique sugar mold.
Holding art supplies makes this antique sugar mold useful and chic!
The large wooden Antique sugar mold is available from my Etsy Store, the smaller wooden one was just sold.
If you are in the market for a specific vintage or antique item, I am a fabulous vintage and antique detective. So if you are searching for something in particular, I can help!
www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com
Email: shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com
Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife
.JPG) |
| https://www.etsy.com/listing/108202731/antique-mexican-sugar-mold-large-8-hole |
You may have seen one of these around and wondered what in the world this large piece of wood with strange holes in it is for. Wonder no more!
This antique Mexican sugar mold was used for, yes, molding sugar, surprise! Right, you had probably already figured that one out, but it is a little more detailed than that.
Back in the 1800's in Mexico and the Southwestern US the kind of sugar people used was brown sugar. This was sugar full of molasses, it was rough, dark, sweet and strong. Very different stuff from the light, perfectly grained brown sugar you find in a bag at the grocery store today.
 |
| Sutter's Fort General Store, Sacramento, California mid 1800's, photo from the Sacramento Bee History section. |
Remember, this was during a time when people who lived in rural areas traveled quite a distance to get to whatever type of store they could once a month or so, sometimes only a few times a year; it was a big occasion "going to town." Some lived close enough to town to make it a weekly trip. Most of these stores carried things like horse shoes, animal feed and farm implements along with food staples, fabric and the occasional luxury item for those who could afford it.The term general store really meant a general store and could contain just about anything.
 |
| Backroom at Sutter's Fort General Store, Sacramento, CA; photo from Sacramento Bee History section. |
In the Western US and Mexico the dry climate made it possible to keep sugar for along time but very few of these establishments had scales for measuring. So brown sugar was packed into these wooden molds, then tipped out and wrapped in paper and sold by the paper wrapped cone. Customers took their sugar cone(s) home and chipped off the sugar needed a little at a time.
 |
| http://www.etsy.com/listing/102938734/antique-mexican-sugar-mold |
It is highly unlikely that you will be buying your brown sugar in a paper wrapped cone shape anytime soon. So what would you do with an antique wooden Mexican sugar mold? Well, all sorts of things!
Some of the things you can do with an antique sugar mold are candle holders, growing herbs, organizing art supplies and just about anything else you could come up with! Below are a few photos of ideas. Have fun, be creative and have a vintage day!
 |
| http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/christmas/msg1019493412076.html |
This antique sugar mold has been used as a candle holder. These look fantastic in a fireplace for when you don't actually want a fire!
 | |||
| http://sullivanandmurphy.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html |
Here, adding rustic charm to a table setting, this antique sugar mold holds silverware and napkins.
 |
| http://ontherefrigeratordoor.blogspot.com/ |
Small plants brighten up this antique sugar mold.
Holding art supplies makes this antique sugar mold useful and chic!
 |
| http://www.etsy.com/listing/105454385/vintage-wood-pen-holder-wood-sugar-mold |
The large wooden Antique sugar mold is available from my Etsy Store, the smaller wooden one was just sold.
If you are in the market for a specific vintage or antique item, I am a fabulous vintage and antique detective. So if you are searching for something in particular, I can help!
www.VintageLifeandDesign.etsy.com
Email: shelleysvintagelife@yahoo.com
Like us on Facebook: Vintage Life & Design
Follow us on Pinterest: shelleysvintage
Follow us on Twitter: shelleysvintagelife
No comments:
Post a Comment