“The pies and cakes had been ordered from a caterer in Yvetot. Since he was starting up in the district, he had gone to considerable pains: and when dessert time came he himself brought to the table a wedding cake that drew exclamations from all. Its base was a square of blue cardboard representing a temple with porticos and colonnades and adorned on all sides with stucco statuettes standing in niches spangled with gold paper stars. The second tier was a medieval castlegateau de Savoie, surrounded by miniature fortifications of angelica, almonds, raisins, and orange sections. And finally, on the topmost layer – which was a green meadow, with rocks, jelly lakes, and boats of hazelnut shells – a little Cupid was swinging in a chocolate swing. The tips of two uprights, the highest points of the whole, were two real rose buds.”

From ‘Madame Bovary’ – The first published novel by Gustave Flaubert. Serialized in 1856. Published in book form – 1857.