These brocante metal molds were used in making oblie ice cream cones. The still warm oblie "cake" was folded around the molds and set aside to cool and harden. The brocante molds were removed from the cooled oblie horns and could then be filled with ice.
To ensure that all papers remained neatly on the desk, this vintage black metal paperweight was used. There are some numbers on the bottom of the paperweight, see photo.