Pa. German Butter Mold 1935 - 1942

This is a Pennsylvania German butter mold, made by Alfred H. Smith. The wood is carved with an image of a rooster; I can almost smell the wood shavings and feel the push and pull of his hands on the chisel. The mold is so folksy and practical. It’s the kind of object that sits right in the palm of your hand. I imagine him thinking, as he carves each groove, about how the butter will take shape, maybe even imagining the taste of it on warm bread! There’s something deeply satisfying about the textures, the little crosses, and the chicken-scratch details, and the way the artist captured the spirit of this proud bird in such a simple and straightforward way. It reminds me of those weathervane sculptures made by unknown artists. I think Alfred would have liked those. I hope this butter mold brought as much joy to the people who used it, as it brings to me now.