Cakes in the 1870s

Ever wondered what the cake looked like at some festive occasion in the 1870s? Wonder no more. These cakes were photographed by W.H.Vize some time between 1870 and 1877, during the time he was at Bairnsdale.

They appear to be extensively covered in some form of decoration - were they icing, or pressed paper or pressed chenille?

From the Cahill photograph collection. You can get a slightly better look at them HERE.