Rice Cake Mold

19th century

1 of 7

Caption

Rice Cake Mold, 19th century. Porcelain, glaze, 1 7/8 x 2 3/4 in. (4.8 x 7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, The Peggy N. and Roger G. Gerry Collection, 2004.28.125. Creative Commons-BY

Title

Rice Cake Mold

Date

19th century

Dynasty

Joseon Dynasty

Geography

Place made: Korea

Medium

Porcelain, glaze

Classification

Ceramic

Dimensions

1 7/8 x 2 3/4 in. (4.8 x 7 cm)

Credit Line

The Peggy N. and Roger G. Gerry Collection

Accession Number

2004.28.125

Rights

Creative Commons-BY

You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.

Frequent Art Questions

  • How were rice cakes made?

    Traditionally, rice is soaked in water, then ground into a paste using a mortar and pestle. The paste is then steamed and pressed into a patterned mold (like the one here) that has been oiled with sesame oil. Each family had their own mold with a unique design. Sometimes the cakes are filled with sweet bean paste. Have you ever eaten one?
    Interesting. No, I haven’t. So the rice cake mold is kind of like a family seal?
    In a way, it is. The cakes were typically prepared for family events like holidays and weddings.
  • How did this Korean rice cake mold work? It looks kinda like a stamp!

    That's a very astute observation! The ricecakes are made from a rice-based paste and were indeed stamped with molds like this one after being formed into disks.
    The stamps or molds decorated the treats that were usually made for special occasions like holidays and weddings.
    I see! Seeing that mold made me crave some 떡, especially some sweet rice cakes. 감사합니다! Thank you!
    I can see why! You're very welcome!
  • Tell me more.

    This is a Korean rice cake mold. The rice is soaked in water, then ground into a paste using a mortar and pestle. Then, the paste is steamed and pressed into a well-oiled mold like this one.
    The cakes can be filled with sweet bean paste or other fillings, and designs vary too!
    That’s incredible! Thanks again!

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