Love letters mould

This artefact is probably a metal mould used to make Love Letters (Kueh Belanda), which is one of the many common Peranakan pastries. These were usually served to guests during festive occasions such as Chinese New Year. The mould is circular in shape and there is a label on the surface indicating a diameter of four-and-a-half inches wide. The same surface also has an image of a rooster pecking rice in the centre. It is encircled by two circles and accompanied by two letters ‘K’ on the sides. It is attached to a criss-crossed metal rod which is used to open up the thin mould. There is an imprint of a rose on the inner surface.