Dutch Speculaas Wooden Gingerbread Mold

This is a large, rectangular hand-carved wooden cookie mold, historically used for making Dutch Speculaas or German Springerle-style biscuits. The mold is crafted from a single solid plank of dense hardwood, likely pear or beech, which has developed a deep, dark brown patina from age and repeated contact with oils. The relief carving features a prominent female figure, possibly a 'lady of fashion' or a representation of a folk figure, dressed in traditional 17th or 18th-century attire. She is depicted with an elaborate headdress, a ruff collar, a laced bodice, and a tiered, patterned skirt. A bird, likely a parrot or falcon, is perched on her right shoulder, adding a layer of symbolic detail often found in European folk art. The carving exhibits high-quality craftsmanship with intricate gouge work and cross-hatching to create textures in the fabric. The condition shows visible signs of historical use, including minor chipping along the edges of the board, surface scratches, and a soft rounding of the internal details suggestive of many years of dough pressing. There is a small mounting hole near the top center, indicating it has been used as a decorative wall piece in recent history. Based on the style of dress and the wear of the wood, this piece likely dates from the early to mid-19th century.