Name/Title
Towel, Wallhanging: Buttermolds 217, Early RedDescription
A three-color silkscreen print on off-white linen depicting ten carved wood butter mold designs arrayed on and off of an oversized butter paddle. Butter mold subjects symbolize health, wealth and plenty.
This print was marketed for use as a kitchen towel, wallhanging, or table runner, and appears in the c.1954 brochure “Robert Darr Wert/Country Prints Kitchen Hangings”; see images. It was produced in two colorways: early red with antique maple and black (this example), or turquoise (see separate entry), both on white linen.
A c.1955 Country Prints price list describes this towel/runner, “Brick Red, Mustard, and Dark Green on natural arranged as decorative tree.” [Note: An example in this colorway on natural linen has yet to be documented.]
The price list also states, “Pure Linen Kitchen Runners and Towels, Nice enough to “Hang” or Frame — in fact we now offer any of these framed in a flat early black frame at $10.00.”
This example is printed on linen with serged and bound edging more commonly used by Country Prints in the 1960’s, possibly indicating this design was reissued in that decade.
A matching placemat, tile and tablecloth were also produced; see images.Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Robert Darr WertRole
ArtistManufacturer
Country PrintsDate made
circa 1953Time Period
20th CenturyPlace
Location
Gill MA.Continent
North AmericaNotes
Edges serged and bound.Inscription/Signature/Marks
“wert by hand”, with “w” in heart, lower left corner.Dimensions
Height
26-3/4 inWidth
16-1/2 inMaterial
Bleached Linen, Textile InkColor
Red, chartreuse, Dark Green
