Pa. German Butter Mold 1935 - 1942

Editor: This is "Pa. German Butter Mold," an illustration by Clyde L. Cheney, likely created between 1935 and 1942. It depicts two views of a wooden butter mold. I’m curious, with your expertise in iconography, what do you see in this seemingly simple piece? Curator: I see a quiet yet powerful connection to cultural memory. It's not just an image of a butter mold; it's an artifact representing a tradition, a specific regional identity, and a daily ritual of food preparation. The choice of a pineapple motif interests me. What does a pineapple evoke for you? Editor: Well, to me, a pineapple feels somewhat… unexpected? Perhaps because pineapples feel like a tropical motif for a place like Pennsylvania. Curator: Exactly! That's the beauty of cultural exchange and assimilation. Pineapples, historically a symbol of hospitality and welcome, were a prized commodity. Incorporating it into something as commonplace as a butter mold suggests a desire to imbue everyday life with those values. Think about the symbolism of food—it nourishes not just the body, but also cultural bonds. Do you see how this ordinary object can become a vessel for meaning? Editor: Yes, definitely. I hadn't considered how a seemingly mundane object could carry so much weight. The act of making butter transforms into a culturally significant practice. Curator: And look at the rendering, the medium being both a drawing and also, possibly, watercolor giving the impression of realism. It suggests a reverence for this object, an almost anthropological interest in documenting a disappearing craft. It freezes a moment in time, preserving not just the object, but the lifestyle it represents. This helps solidify memory. Editor: That’s fascinating! I'll definitely look at everyday objects differently now. It's amazing how much history and culture can be embedded in something as simple as a butter mold.