Dasher for Butter Churn 1935 - 1942

Clyde L. Cheney rendered this "Dasher for Butter Churn" with meticulous care. Born in 1855, Cheney lived through a period of immense technological and social change. This seemingly simple object is a testament to the labor-intensive processes of pre-industrial life. Butter churning was traditionally women’s work, deeply connected to their roles within the domestic sphere. The dasher reflects a time when women's labor in the home was essential for survival, but often undervalued. This artwork serves as a reminder of the daily physical exertion involved in producing the food that sustained families. While Cheney might have depicted a tool, he inadvertently captured a moment in the history of gendered labor. It invites us to consider the relationship between objects, labor, and identity. This artwork quietly speaks volumes about a past where the rhythms of life were closely tied to the land and the demanding work it entailed.