Pa. German Butter Mold c. 1941

Henry Zwysen rendered this Pa. German Butter Mold, in a drawing of an object that speaks volumes about cultural identity and domestic life. Zwysen, born in 1855, lived in a time of significant cultural transition, as communities grappled with modernization while trying to hold onto their heritage. Butter molds, like this one, were more than just kitchen tools; they were emblems of cultural identity, particularly within Pennsylvania German communities. The star design is a visual language, connecting families to their roots. These handcrafted molds were often passed down through generations, carrying with them stories of immigration, adaptation, and the negotiation of identity in a new land. Consider the labor and love invested in the daily ritual of butter-making and how food can be a powerful expression of cultural continuity. This drawing serves as a poignant reminder of the objects that ground us, connecting us to personal and collective histories.