One day in the 1980’s walking in downtown Nancy, France, I notice a large demolition bin outside of a well-known Patisserie that was undergoing renovation.
I peered into the debris-filled bin and saw this cast-iron mold. Naturally, I climbed in to retrieve it. By the time I climbed out a crowd of disapproving French had gathered.
I anticipated that the mold would be for making Madeleines because legend has it that they were perfected in the Lorraine region by a lady of that name.
But these mold impressions were not of their classic clam-shell shape. However, it probably was used to make cookies similar, if not identical to the classic Madeleine. I’m certain that Emile Proust, the famous French writer of the early 1900’s would have been happy to have one with his afternoon tea. Incidentally, he has said that the taste and smell of his Madeleine dipped into his tea brought back memories of his past that enabled him to write about it.
Recent googling research informs me that my mold was actually made in the USA by the Griswold Co.- probably in the late 1800’s and imported to France.
These days I use it to make corn bread biscuits. They are crisp and delicious and go very well with coffee or tea at breakfast or in midafternoon.
WHAT IS IT?
(Editor’s note: Palisades resident Howard Yonet has an interesting collection of curios from around the world and with his permission, Circling the News is publishing one a week. About the collector: Dr. Howard Yonet was born in Brooklyn in 1934 and attended Brooklyn College. He went to Baylor Medical School and then returned to do an internship at Bellevue Hospital. Yonet completed his residency at the Manhattan V.A. and the Montefiore Hospital. During this time he went skiing in Vermont and the Catskills, and while traveling found barns filled with early American pieces. This led to his interest in American Antiques.
In 1965, he married Daniele, who was originally from Nancy, France. During the Vietnam War, Yonet was drafted as a medical officer and stationed in Landstuhl, Germany (1966-1969). This was close to the French border, which meant he and Daniele and could visit her family.
While abroad, the Yonets took weekend trips through France and Italy, purchasing many interesting pieces at flea markets.
The family settled in Pacific Palisades in 1970 and Yonet practiced general radiology until 2006. He continued to acquire antiques and collectables at estate and garage sales and the Salvation Army Store. He also enjoyed looking for collectibles while traveling in Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Massachusetts. Daniele’s family helped add to his collection.)