Mid 19th Century Folk Art Footed Food Mold

Description

I would like to tell you that these were always used for blah, blah, blah, but in 4 decades of … more I would like to tell you that these were always used for blah, blah, blah, but in 4 decades of seeking and selling, I have never seen one of these. That doesn't mean I lack educated speculation. Here goes. For sure this is a food mold of some sort. I was told "chocolate" but that makes no sense to me, as the mold sections are so very large. A century ago, the task of the kitchen staff was no different than it is today - how to make the same old ingredients seem new and different - or at least attractive and yummy. We see traditional motifs here, star, moon, fish, seashell, spade, club --- not the 4 suits in a card deck --- not all shellfish --- not all ANYTHING. And why does it stand 3 inches off the surface? Soooo one of you knowledgeable shoppers may be able to enlighten me. Meanwhile, I speculate one might have packed these hollows with some sort of food and set it in a bain marie less