Butter Mold c. 1941

This "Butter Mold" was made by Michael Rekucki, born in 1884. It's a relief carving, and it feels like Rekucki coaxed the image of the cow and tree out from within the material. I am picturing his hands at work. Did he start with a sketch? Or did he trust his intuition? This little scene, with its folk art simplicity, speaks to something deeply human – our connection to nature, to sustenance, to craft. The concentric lines around the central image, they almost look like a painting’s edge or a frame, reminding us that even utilitarian objects can carry an artistic spirit. Making something with your hands, there's a directness to it, a kind of truth. The way that each carved line holds the memory of the maker’s touch. This mold really sings to the idea of the artist's presence embedded in the work. It also makes you think about the tradition of craft and how each object carries forward a legacy of skill and creativity.