Swiss hand carved wood Bear motif Springerle Mold

Pair of vintage Swiss, hand carved wood Springerle Cookie Molds with Bear motifs: one a upright Appenzeller Bear & the other a walking Berne Bear. These traditional cookie presses are a Folk Art, both for household baking of anise-based biscuits as treats and holiday ornaments as well as for display, with their charming motifs and intricate patterns. (see below NOTES for more on the background of these cookies.) The larger mold has a classic depiction of the traditional rearing bear motif of the Abbot of St. Gallen with an outstretched tongue and claws that usually appear in red that symbolize the defiance of the northern Swiss Appenzell region's defiance of the Abbot in 1403 which made the region independent (later joining with other cantons to form the Swiss Confederation). The other mold shows a classic "passant" bear, the heraldic symbol of the central region of Bern, the Swiss capital. A faded stamp from the maker on the larger one appears on the back, although it is difficult to determine - see photo for detail. These carvings have always been done by small local producers who draw from local traditions, symbols and environments for inspiration. The larger mold measures 6 1/4" tall, 3 1/2" wide and 7/8" thick (8.8 oz) and the other press is 3" tall, 4 3/4"" wide and 7/8" deep. The pair appears to have been used for display only, with no trace of water or food on the surfaces, although the fine-grain, blonde-colored wood has some patina from age. A small chip on the top right corner of the bigger mold appears smooth and older. A charming pair of molds in very good condition, ready for baking or to add interest and a hand made element to your wall or shelf!

NOTES: These traditional cookie presses originally came from county Flanders in Belgium and were intended for use in making spekulaas, an almond and spice cookie, similar to gingerbread, served on the feast of St. Nicholaus, December 6, in the Low Countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg) as well as surrounding German areas. In Germanic countries such molds have traditionally used for "springerle", an anise-based, white biscuit which are also used as ornaments. The cookie dough is mixed, rolled and pressed into such molds and then turned on to sheets for baking. Wood cookie presses in various sizes and motifs have been used in northern Europe for centuries to commemorate holidays, special occasions or send messages/wishes. Today, molds are also made in resin and silicone. Due to the artistry in making the old wood molds, antique and vintage molds have become valued both for cooking and as wall art, allowing people to enjoy their rustic appeal as well as the images beyond the holidays.