Collection Highlights
Architect's Sign
ca. 1837
1953.197
Wood
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Cake board
Object name
Cake board
Date
1825-1835
Medium
Wood
Dimensions
Overall: 15 x 26 x 1/2 in. ( 38.1 x 66 x 1.3 cm )
Description
Rectangular wooden (possibly mahogany) cake board decorated with elaborately carved figure of Lafayette on horseback and inscription within a central medallion and surrounded by an oval star and stripe frame.
Credit Line
Purchased from Elie Nadelman
Object Number
1937.592
Marks
carved (inverted): on obverse: "LAFAYETTE / YORKTOWN / 1781 / W. FARROW"
Gallery Label
According to New York City directories, William Farrow was active as a baker in Manhattan from 1815-1819 and 1822-1835. Many cake boards by John Conger are illustrated in Louise C. Belden's article on cake boards, which appeared in the December 1990 issue of the magazine "Antiques." Baker used cake boards to imprint low-relief designs onto stiff doughs, such as those for short bread, gingerbread, or marzipan. This dough was pressed into the mold, peeled away to leave a crisp impression, and then air-dried before baking.
Provenance
The Folk Art Collection of Elie Nadelman
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
