Antiques | Terry Kovel

Cake toppers change over time

Cowles Syndicate

This 3 ½-inch porcelain bridal pair with moving arms and paper clothing sold for $18 at a Rachel Davis Fine Arts auction in Cleveland. Each figure is marked ”Made in Japan.”

The modern wedding cake became fashionable in the 1880s, but the bride and groom topper wasn't introduced until the 20th century. Early figures were made of bisque, composition (like that used for dolls), chalkware or a sugar mixture called "gum paste." The groom wore a tux or tails and a top hat. In the 1920s, small bisque kewpie figures were dressed in crepe paper to represent the couple. The bride usually wore a lace cap and a long veil.

In the 1940s, the war influenced topper designs and materials. Plastic toppers were introduced. The bride wore a fashionable dress with lace, and the groom was hatless but might be in tails. Soldier, sailor and other military uniforms were chosen for military weddings. All-sugar figures returned, and a few porcelain sets were made.

Today's toppers are plastic, sugar or even porcelain figurines by Lladro or Lenox that can be kept for life. Old toppers are inexpensive but hard to find.

Q.I bought what I thought was a set of coin silver flatware back-stamped "900." But the pieces are attracted by a magnet, and I have been told that means they're not really coin silver. Is that true?

A. "Coin silver" has a slightly lower silver content than sterling silver. Pure silver is too soft and must be alloyed with copper for strength. Sterling is .925 parts silver, while American coin silver is .892 to .900 parts silver. Coin silver was the silver standard common in the United States from 1792, when the U.S. Mint was founded, until the 1860s, when American silversmiths reverted to the English sterling standard they had used before the American Revolution.

Neither silver nor copper is attracted by a magnet. Some spelter, a white metal alloy that looks like silver, does attract a magnet. Your flatware is probably spelter.

Q.I have a small bronze vase that is about 3 inches tall and has raised work on one side. It is marked "Lauchhammer," with a crown over the name and crossed hammers beneath it. I would like to know who made this vase.

A. A bell and art foundry was established in Lauchhammer, Germany, in 1725. Bells, bowls, boxes, candlesticks, mirrors, plaques, sculptures, statues and other items were made in bronze, brass, iron, nickel, tin, zinc and other metals. The foundry is still in business, operating under the name Lauchhammer Kunstguss.

Q.A few months ago you wrote about a Bonnyware red plastic biscuit cutter marked "For Bisquicks." You asked if anyone had more information about the Bisquick cutter. My aunt collected biscuit and cookie cutters for years. One of her books, "Cookie Cutters and Cookie Molds: Art in the Kitchen" by Phyllis Steiss Wetherill, explains that Bonny Ware (two words) was a brand name for a hard plastic used in 1932 to make round biscuit cutters as product premiums for General Mills' Bisquick baking mix.

A customer could mail in one Bisquick box top and receive a 2 3/8-inch green cutter and a 1 5/8-inch white cutter. Wetherill says a 2 1/8-inch yellow Bonny Ware cutter was sold in the General Mills company gift shop.

A. We have a copy of Wetherill's book in our library and didn't know it discussed Bonny Ware until we read your letter. A recent article in the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot confirms that Bonny Ware, a molded plastic, was made by the Reynolds Spring Co. of Jackson. Reynolds Spring's plastics division opened in 1922 and made plastic products of all kinds. In the late 1920s or early '30s, the company introduced Bonny Ware, a line of plastic dishes and kitchenware that came in red, orange, pink or green. Pieces were marked "Bonny Ware." The newspaper article says that Bisquick gave away the cutters "in boxes . . . for years." Anything marked Bonny Ware is collectible.

Tip: Wash your hands before handling paper collectibles. Wipe off the table before you put valuable papers down on it. There are mold spores in dirt and dust.


Current Prices


Trolley sign, Cleveland Baking Powder, cardboard, image of muffins and baking powder can, "Easy to make with Cleveland's," 1920s, 11 by 21 inches, $90.

Victorian marriage certificate, flowers and angels, wedding bell with inscription, Michigan, May 18, 1898, 20 by 15 inches, $120.

Elephant bookends, cast iron, trunks up, Hubley, 1920s, 5 1/8 by 5 ¼ inches, $165.

Blue Staffordshire plate, "The Landing of General Lafayette," floral border, impressed "Clews," 1880s, 10 inches, $200.

Carnival glass water set, Windmill pattern, marigold over clear, 8-inch pitcher, nine glasses, $400.

Jane Withers doll, open mouth, six upper teeth, brown mohair wig, sleep eyes, Madame Alexander, 1930s, 20 inches, $595.

Pier table, gray and beige marble top, serpentine front edge, three polychrome floral panels, wrought-iron S-scrolled supports, 1930s, 31 by 39 inches, $630.

Sterling-silver serving spoon, Bird's Nest pattern, gold-wash bowl, simulated branch handle ending in bird's nest with perched bird and three eggs, monogrammed, box, 10 ½ inches, $1,840.


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