Butter stamp

A butter stamp, is a device for stamping a design onto a block of warm butter. They were sometimes commercial but usually purely decorative and applied in homes. The stamps are typically made of wood, and feature simple designs, of cows, flowers or geometric designs and, if commercial, the name of the retailer. Often they form part of a box-like mould for forming the whole block. Other designs achieved the same effect by carving the design at the bottom of a butter mould. Part of the intent for commercial moulds and stamps was to demonstrate consistency in the quantity of butter sold. Both moulds and stamps are now normally inexpensive antiques.[1]

Irish butter stamp, with mould for the block, and below a bain-marie for hot water to soften the butter

References

1. Butter Stamps, Museum of Northern Ireland