Gem Iron

Gem Iron
made in Australia 1940s

Gem scones are unique to Australia: they are ‘damper’ scones made from flour, water and milk – the basics- as this was all that was available during the war. Damper is a rough bread that can be made over a camp fire.

Real scones are made with sugar…and- served with jam and cream. Real luxury after the war. But during the war when this gem iron was made – you were lucky to be able to assemble flour and milk. Water was available as an alternative to the milk…if necessary…or to water down the milk to make the gem scones.

This gem iron made twelve scones over the fire, or in the oven. It is made of cast-iron, and now has a patina of rust. Good thing that it can be easily cleaned [if you wish] – or if like me you like the historical patina…

…the gem iron is for sale: $AU45.
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Gem Iron

Gem Iron, made in Australia c.1940s

This is a beautiful cast iron ‘gem’ scone baking tray. Gem scones were popular in the 40s, and were more like rounded sugar cakes than the scones we know today. The cast iron made for an even heat, and the baking trays – while easy to produce – were expensive to buy. Consequently the gem iron was carefully and loving cleaned and greased after every outing, and so many have survived in good working order. Suffice it to say, with the right recipe [and the internet proliferates with them!] one can continue to pump out gem scones today.

I have styled the gem iron with a couple of kewpie dolls – these are reproduction kewpies, but the originals were made around the same time as the gem tray. If you are a non-cook like me- you might like to use the iron to showcase small items. It has a multiplicity of uses!

The gem iron, being cast iron – is super heavy. This is one part of my collection that is not suitable for posting – pick-up from St Peters in Sydney only. If you like the kewpie dolls, I’ll throw those in as well!

The gem iron is for sale: $AU40

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Gem Iron

Gem Iron, made in Australia c.1940s
Nipper, HMV figurine, made in Australia c.1950s

This is a beautiful cast iron ‘gem’ scone baking tray. Gem scones were popular in the 40s, and were more like rounded sugar cakes than the scones we know today. The cast iron made for an even heat, and the baking trays – while easy to produce – were expensive to buy. Consequently the gem iron was carefully and loving cleaned and greased after every outing, and so many have survived in good working order. Suffice it to say, with the right recipe [and the internet proliferates with them!] one can continue to pump out gem scones today.

Regarding the gem iron is Nipper, the fox terrier from HMV – His Master’s Voice. You might remember seeing him sitting keenly in front of a gramophone listening to – his master’s voice. HMV started in 1899, producing music recordings and gramophones- Nipper was adopted soon after as the company’s logo. Nipper has no markings to indicate his manufacturer, but he was bought as part of a larger Nipper collection that had begun in the 30s and his original owner remembers buying him in the 50s.

If the gem iron was full of cakes, you can imagine he might have a less forlorn look. He isn’t really part of this collection, but if you like him I’ll pop him in the gem iron package.    For sale: $AUD75

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