Butter Mold

Name/Title

Butter Mold

Entry/Object ID

2022.65.1a-f

Description

Wooden butter mold. The mold consists of a rectangular box frame, a closely-fitted rectangular insert, and 4 square presses, or stamps. The frame is held together at the corners with box joints, and there are 2 wooden bars running horizontally across the base. The bottom is left open. There is an oval hole on each side end. The insert has slightly flaring sides and is held together with screws. 1 end piece has been replaced, as have all but 2 screws. There are 3 dividers across the insert, separating it into 4 pieces. The four square stamps are each carved with a different floral design: a branch with 3 berries and several leaves; a tied sheaf of wheat; a branch with 3 acorns and 3 leaves; a thorned stem with a rose, a bud, and 3 leaves. Each stamp has a chip carved border. The stamps are not attached, but holes in both the stamp pieces and the insert indicate that they were originally attached.

Use

Used to decoratively mold butter

Context

Attributed to John Hand Varnum of Peacham, Vermont.

Acquisition

Accession

2022.65

Source or Donor

Duane Merrill and Company

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Varnum, John Hand (1871--1948)

Attribution

Attributed to

Place

Town

Peacham

County

Caledonia County

State/Province

Vermont

Country

United States of America

Continent

North America

Lexicon

Nomenclature 4.0

Nomenclature Tertiary Object Term

Mold, Butter

Nomenclature Secondary Object Term

Mold, Food

Nomenclature Primary Object Term

Shaper, Food

Nomenclature Sub-Class

Food Preparation Equipment

Nomenclature Class

Food Processing & Preparation T&E

Nomenclature Category

Category 04: Tools & Equipment for Materials

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

3-3/4 in

Width

13 in

Depth

4 in

Material

Wood