Going wibbly wobbly over antique jelly moulds

Hampshire’s Bellmans Auctioneers is hoping that bidders get the wobbles as a collection of 400 antique jelly moulds is offered in a timed sale due to end on July 12th.

The eccentric and substantial collection of copper, tin and ceramic moulds is the result of late antique dealer Andrew Cottrell’s passion for his collecting area, leading him to be fondly known as ‘Mr Copper’.

The dealer’s four sons asked Bellmans to create a catalogue entitled ‘Wibbly Wobbly’ so named after a book Mr Cottrell had considered writing on the subject.

“We always knew our father had many moulds, if there was copper to be sold our father was the man for it,” said Rupert Cottrell. “He wasn’t just a lover of copper, he loved the whole antiques world and would often tell us he had over 700 moulds. While this was a slight exaggeration, he was never one to let the truth spoil a good story.”

The collection’s sale also includes moulds in the shape of ladies playing tennis, alongside others of a recumbent lion, leaping salmon, lobsters and a blazing sun. For other sweet-toothed buyers, a range of two-part chocolate moulds could also prove too tempting to resist, particularly that of a lady playing tennis – perfect for Wimbledon fortnight.

The single-owner collection is expected to raise between £20,000 to £30,000.