In the nineteenth century, a gift of chocolate was a special treasure and
every small European village had a chocolate shop. Chocolate was molded in
all shapes and sizes.
The early molds were hand-hammered over castings created by individual artisans.
The sculptor was either commissioned or, in some cases, in the direct employ
of the chocolate factory who would provide him with a studio and the wherewithal
to pursue the craft. While it is romantic to envision this lonely artist
laboring over a hot forge, it was not always the case. Some large factories
evolved; Anton Reiche in Dresden, established in 1870 but destroyed in WWII;
Letang Fils in Paris who continue to manufacture molds to this day; and
Eppelsheimer & Co. of New York City. American artists produced some of
the most innovative and whimsical pieces based upon the original European
heritage.
Casting figurines from molds has been a German tradition since the late
1800’s. Originally paper mache was pressed into wooden molds and allowed
to dry. Some of these hollow pieces were then dipped into plaster, which
dried to a smooth, but very fragile finish. In America, the Pennsylvania
Germans substituted solid plaster for paper mache, and often used chocolate
molds for the forms. Making “Chalkware” figures using antique chocolate
molds continues to this day.
