Gum Paste

Abstract

Although in this new era gum paste is rarely used as an alternative decoration, it would perhaps be opportune to describe the medium and the art of using it, for in the past this was a skill in its own right quite apart from that of piping. Furthermore, in my experience of technical schools today, as distinct from the bakery schools, there seems to be renewed interest in any form of art and particularly in the sphere of sculpture and modelling which is the real basis of gum paste work. The standard of ornamental work was always very high though it sometimes tended to look clumsy; yet various types of patterns or border units could be more delicately contrived so as to be artistically superior.