A pair of wafer makers; early 20th century.

Pair of wafer makers; early 20th century.
Lithographed and painted metal.
Exhibits wear consistent with age and use.
Measurements: 81 x 38 cm (x2).
A pair of folk-style waffle irons, decorated with painted scenes evoking various landscapes and urban settings. One of the pieces depicts the Plaza de Cuchilleros in Madrid, while the other shows a suburban landscape with a house next to a river. Both compositions offer a visual record of daily life and the urban and rural environments of the time.
The wafer container is one of the most recognizable objects from the old tradition of street vending of wafers and sweets, particularly associated with promenades, plazas, fairs, and recreational areas. Its characteristic cylindrical shape allowed the vendor to transport and store the wafers. The top still features the characteristic numbered wheel, protected by a metal grille. This mechanism was part of a small sales ritual that added an element of fun. The customer would spin the wheel, and the number that came up determined how many wafers they would receive in exchange for their coin.