83/79/1-2

A split butter mould for making a block of butter in the shape of wheatsheaf. From the Rural Industries Bureau, late 1940s early 1950s.
This is a wooden split butter mould for making a solid block of butter in the shape of wheatsheaf. It is inscribed, 'T94N'. It is one of a collection of moulds made for exhibition in the Rural Industries Bureau in the late 1940s or early 1950s.

1 butter mould (two halves): wood; good condition

MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Standard museum name: MOULD // Accession number: 83/79 // Classification: PROCESSING Milk butter // Negative number: 60/14475 // Acquisition method: Gift // Acquired from, date: CoSIRA, 141 Castle St., Salisbury, Wilts, SP1 3TP, September 1983 // Store: small object // Condition: good // Recorder, date: JMB 8.12.83 // Description: A solid, split butter mould with a wheat sheaf design. // Inscription: T94N. // Also label giving directions for use. See xerox. // Dimensions: 10 x 12cm // Associated information: One of a collection of moulds made for exhibition in the Rural Industries Bureau in the late 1940's or early 1950's. // References: Treen by Edward Pinto p.100 MERL 5850.', 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 [?] mould, fill the other half in the same way, [?] [j]oin together. Now fill in any that may be re-[?] at base of impression, and cut off level with [?] [?]ore. // [?] butter out, ease open the mould with the [?]. The butter will probably remain in one of the [ha]lves, but insert the knife at the bottom and take it out. Draw the knife out of the butter between the [pr]ongs 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 [j]oined. Use firm butter and garnish with parsley.', 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.'

1945-01-01

Rural Industries Bureau (Corporate Body)