Antique Carved Wood Rectangular Box Butter Mold Dovetailed on Two Corners With Two Hooks
Description: Antique one pound rectangular box mold made of carved light colored wood. This is a nice size rectangular mold with two dovetailed corners and two hooks to hold the box around the mold. The box itself has a cannel where the mold fits and stays in place once the box is closed. Once closed the box would be filled with soft butter and leveled off. The butter would then be cooled to ensure it hardens. Once the butter is hard the box is opened and the one pound butter slabe is removed and would have the molded design on one side. The design consists of four squared, possibly defining quarter pound pieces, carved with three and four leaf clover designs. These leaves are framed with straight lines. The back of the mold has what should have been two slats of wood screwed to it so it would stay off the table, except one of them is lost. Just a great butter print that is rather uncommon and seldom comes by. See page 81 in Paul E. Kindig's 1985 book "Butter Prints and Molds" by the Schiffer Publishing Company for a similar example. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: 1850-1880.
Origin: Was purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania USA.
Size: The mold board measures ~4 5/8" by ~5 1/4" while the box measures ~6" by ~5 1/2" when closed and is ~2 1/4" high. It would make a butter slab measuring ~4 1/2" by ~5" by ~1 1/4" high. The piece itself weighs about 12.5 ounces.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Unmarked.
Condition: In good condition with no breaks or repairs. The piece has one crack to the frame where one of the screws in which the hook locks is located. It also has one of the slats originally screwed on the back of the mold board missing. Other than that the piece has no additional cracks or losses. It has some stains, some soiling, some surface scratches, some minor dings, and wear commensurate with its age and utilitarian function. The piece has developed a nice age patina and looks great. It would make a great addition to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information and to appreciate the piece's beauty and quality.
