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Antique Terracotta Butter Keeper – Botanical Design – Circa 1900
€95Bid from €85.50
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ProfessionalProduct description
Before refrigerators became common in kitchens, preserving butter during warm weather required genuine household expertise. This remarkable terracotta butter dish belongs to that history, now almost forgotten. Made in the late 19th or very early 20th century, around , it was designed to hold butter blocks, which were then bought or prepared in much larger quantities than our contemporary butter portions. Its generous cylindrical container thus allowed for the preservation of a fine butter block while protecting it from heat.
Its operation relies on the natural properties of terracotta. The thick, unglazed lid is equipped with openings allowing for the use of water. By moistening the terracotta, evaporation created a slight natural cooling around the container and helped keep the butter in better condition. An ingenious form of domestic preservation, from an era when people knew how to achieve a lot with extremely simple principles.
But this butter dish is not merely a utilitarian object. The potter bestowed upon it genuine decorative artistry. The wide lid features a crown of leaves deeply incised into the clay, arranged radially around a central knob itself adorned with a floral motif. The beautiful warm, natural color of the terracotta further emphasizes the relief of this decoration.
The set is complete with its circular tray, approximately 22 to 23 cm in diameter, and measures approximately 12 to 13 cm in height. Its generous proportions immediately recall its original purpose, that of the true butter blocks from homes of yesteryear. Preserved in excellent condition for its age, it naturally exhibits the variations, small marks, and irregularities typical of antique terracotta shaped for use. These now fully contribute to its character. A piece that has become uncommon in this complete configuration, at once a popular kitchen item, a testament to old preservation methods, and a very beautiful decorative object.
Additional details:
- Brand: 20eSiecle
- Material: terre cuite
- Colour: terre cuite
- Period:
Specifications
ConditionVery good
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About this seller
ProfessionalSaint symphorien des bois, FranceOn Whoppah since August 2026 • 1 sale