Object number
83/81/1-2
Description
This is a wooden split butter mould for making a solid block of butter in the shape of a sitting hen. It is inscribed, 'T94L'. It is one of a collection of moulds made for exhibition in the Rural Industries Bureau in the late 1940s or early 1950s.
Physical description
1 butter mould (two halves): wood; good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: MOULD // Accession number: 83/81 // Classification: PROCESSING Milk butter // Negative number: 60/14472 // Acquisition method: Gift // Acquired from, date: CoSIRA, 141 Castle St, Salisbury, Wilts SP1 3TP September 1983 // Store: small object // Condition: good // Recorder, date: 8.12.83 JMB // Description: A solid split butter mould with a sitting hen design // Inscription: T94L // Also label giving directions for use. See Xerox // Dimensions: 8 x 9cm. // Associated information: As for 83/79 // References: As for 83/79', Letter, CoSIRA to MERL, 1983 – 'Mr Brian Kendal will be bringing these to you in the next few weeks when he is passing. I hope you can find some use for them. When I can I will try to get some more background but Mr Trust says that they were made for exhibition in the Rural Industries Bureau, not sure but I think Wimbledon, in the late forties or early fifties. I'll send any further information with Mr Kendall.', Mould text label – 'BUTTER MOULDS // Every mould carved by English craftsmen. // DIRECTIONS FOR USE // First thoroughly soak the mould in water, then with a table-knife, fill in the impression on one half of the mould first, and cut the butter off level with the face of the mould, fill the other half in the same way, and join together. Now fill in any that may be required at base of impression, and cut off level with mould as before. // To get the butter out, ease open the mould with the knife. The butter will probably remain in one of the halves, but insert the knife at the bottom and take it out. Draw the knife out of the butter between the prongs of a fork. // NOTE:- In cutting off butter level with mould do not hollow the butter out, but rather leave it raised slightly where the impression is, so that it may bind well together when they are joined. Use firm butter and garnish with par[?].', MERL miscellaneous note – 'Some of these moulds are marked as being made by Howard Brothers Ltd, Avenue Works, Chesham, Bucks. It is possible that they were all made there and some labels have come off.'
Production date
1945-01-01
Object name
Material
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_14472.tif - High resolution image