EARLY-MID 19TH CENTURY AMERICAN ANTIQUE PRIMITIVE, FLORAL CARVED BIRDS-EYE 

MAPLE, LATHE-TURNED BARREL & 

PLUNGER WOODEN BUTTER MOLD

(Circa 1835-1855)

Early-mid 19th century American antique wooden butter molds & woodenware

DIMENSIONS: 

7 ½" full Height (when handle pulled up)

 5 ½" handle down x 4 ¾" Width 

Weight: 13 oz.

 

 DESCRIPTION:

This marvelous, early-mid 19th century American antique curly maple, lathe-turned and hand carved floral motif New England butter mold, is in very well-preserved overall condition, with no sidewall fractures, hairline cracks, noticeable edge flea-bites, wood loss or unsightly, depreciating stains to speak of. It may not be entirely 'flawless,' but it's still quite clean and near originally constituted condition. The wooden plunger has great lines and a soft, upper bulbous end, which allowed the used to easily and near effortlessly pull back on the stem and release the carved end of the stamp pressing into the butter, giving the butter its stamped appearance. This was common practice in the 18th and 19th centuries, when butter was fashioned by hand and left out for family members to help themselves to on a table top or sideboard for spreading on cakes, pastries and breads. The butter decorations left by butter molds such as these, were decorative emblems of affection and were varied and are now highly collected and coveted. Original color, surfaces and condition. Very clean.

 

CONDITION:

Good to Very Good overall antique condition.