Buttermold 1935 - 1942

Editor: This is a watercolor and charcoal drawing called "Buttermold" created between 1935 and 1942 by Roy Weber. It depicts, well, a buttermold! It feels like a snapshot of domestic life, and that floral design is lovely. What do you see in this piece, looking beyond its simple subject? Curator: The buttermold transcends its utilitarian function; it's a carrier of cultural memory. That tulip motif, for instance, echoes through centuries of folk art, representing themes of love, charity, and new beginnings, resonating deeply in both Europe and early America. How does that symbolism affect your interpretation? Editor: Knowing that the tulip symbolizes love and charity makes the mold seem less about food preparation and more about imbuing even the simplest tasks with meaning. I see it now as a connection to tradition, of care being passed down through generations. Curator: Exactly! The repetitive act of molding butter, when impressed with these symbols, becomes a ritual – a visual echo of the past in the present. Even the material, likely wood, speaks to organic connections and ancestral practices, doesn't it? Editor: Yes, absolutely. So the buttermold isn’t just an object, it is a symbol that embodies heritage. I learned a lot today, seeing everyday objects as connections to the past. Thanks for pointing out that visual language!