Casgliadau Arlein

Gingerbread mould with mother and child design carved in intaglio. Plaster cast of mould stored with object.

Wooden moulds were use to impress patterns on the top surface of pieces of gingerbread. Gingerbread, a flat dry cake flavoured with ginger, was traditionally sold at fairs from medieval times until the 20th century. Pieces of gingerbread with gold leaf applied on top were called 'fairings' (V&A Search the Collections).