Deksel van een botervloot c. 1900

This is a lid for a butter dish by Orivit, and it reflects more than just good taste. Though we do not know when it was made, it invites us to consider a moment in time where having nice silverware was indicative of class. In its time, this butter dish lid, with its decorative leaves and looping vines, didn't just keep butter fresh; it was a signifier of social standing, a tool in the performance of class identity. Consider the labor that went into producing such an object, and the cultural values it embodies. It speaks volumes about domestic life, gender roles, and the aspirations of those who sought to climb the social ladder. It makes you think about how everyday objects can be laden with meaning, reflecting our desires, our histories, and our places in the world.