My friend would like her parent's wedding cake remade for their 50th anniversary. This is the only picture she has. Unfortunately it is really hard to see the detail. Can anyone help me to interpret the detail on this cake?

To me it looks like maybe some kind of gridwork on the top half of each cake and then cornelli lace on the bottom half? Then separated by a ruffle loop? Or maybe the loop is piped shells. There also look to be flowers on the bottom of each loop but I can't really tell what they are.

There also look to be grapes hanging from the board of each tier, what would these be made of?

Thanks for helping me solve this puzzle! It would have been much easier if there was colour photography 50 years ago!

Definitely there is lattice work inside of some sort of medallion shapes which look like they are outlined with maybe reverse shells?? I see what you mean about the "loops" at the bottom of the medallions filled with flowers or maybe a pair of doves which was very popular back then.

Those could be grapes or leaves hanging down, my guess is leaves since I don't see grapes anywhere else and usually that would be something carried throughout the rest of the theme.

I don't see the cornelli lace but you have definitely been looking at the photo longer than I have.

Also with all of that filigree I'm guessing there is probably smaller RI filigree outlining the medallions.

What a sweet idea to copy the parents wedding cake...good luck with your re-creation.

I can't really see much, either. But maybe you could ask your friend to help you interpret the image? Or ask some of the parent's family or friends? If it's not a surprise, maybe you could even ask the parents.

Here are two cropped, enlarged and enhanced versions. Maybe someone can see more details.

Thanks for trying to help everyone! Unfortunately this is a surprise and my friend is not sure she can snag the original photo from the album without her mom becoming suspicious.

Lorijom, what is a filigree???

All those lacy looking decorations that sort of stand out from the cake...you can see them best on the sides. I call them filigree because they are a bit more substantial than lace.

I used my digital software to try to look more closely at the bottom of those medallions and it looks like 1 open flower - maybe even a wild rose - flanked by two smaller ones.

I think your friend should try to snag the pic. How often does mom look at her photos? lol It would be exciting to have the exact replica.

Tell mom she's creating a collage. LIE LIE LIE but get that photo. LOL

Yeah it seems theres some sort of lace,
I agree there, try and get that photo...if it helps more than the picture you already have, then it would be worthwhile to.

Wow this is an awesome idea but if your friend wants it to be identical to the photo you're really going to need a better photo or have someone tell you in detail...perhaps a relative or friend who was at the wedding who could remember....

I'd have to snag the better picture from mom's album....have someone take mom out to lunch or keep her occupied while someone snags the picture and goes and gets a copy and then returns the picture...snagging the picture CAN be done...your friend will just have to be sneaky and/or tell a white lie to get it from mom.

Good luck and have fun. I think it's a great idea and think about the funny story that will go along w/ getting the picture. Mom will be touched by the cake and get a kick of hearing the sneaky plan to get the pic from the album! LOL

who says Mom has to know the album is missing let alone the photo?

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or.....as a "gift" to mom -- have the photos "restored" and put in a new album that contains both the original and the 50th anniversary photos....this will necessitate getting the originals so they can be restored well in advance of the celebration.

You can definitely take that photo to a restoration person who could enlarge it and make it clearer. This is such a great gift idea... it should be perfect! I vote to take the picture also, Mom would never know, and she surely wouldnt care once she saw why it was missing!

Good luck with your project!

I've been curious....how's this project coming along?

Sorry, I should have added an update. Actually I am still waiting for the "go" from my friend. I quoted her a price and she's waiting until her brother arrives in town this weekend. He's staying at her mom's place and is hoping he can snatch the picture from their wedding album. Stay tuned...

it looks like maybe deer in between the layers. thank goodness these styles are out!

it looks like leaves of some sort hanging off the edges. i'm sorry i'm not much help from here, i'm working off a small laptop. that's a great idea to duplicate their old cake. good luck, can't wait to see pics.

I AGREE SNATCH THE PIC BECAUSE IVE GOT MY GLASSES ON AND IT LOOKS LIKE I NEED NEW ONES..WOW ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THEY DID THAT WORK ON CAKES BACK THEN..PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW IT WORKS OUT GOT ME CUROUS.

hello everyone
i hope this can help... use a overhead projector to see the picture clear