Ice cream molds were popular in the early 1900s and came in a wide variety of subjects, from fruits and vegetables, through common household items like shoes and floral bouquets, to more esoteric items like playing cards and fraternal lodge insignia, and even popular holiday figures like George Washington (July 4), a witch (Halloween) and Santa (Christmas). Their popularity declined after WWII.

Although the terms "Chocolate mold" and "butter mold" are frequently used in referring to these items, they are incorrect.  Molds for those substances are manufactured differently out of different materials. Chocolate molds are normally stamped out of sheet metal and plated. Butter molds are usually made of wood, or more rarely, glass.