Old Butter Pats and Molds Add Interest to Today’s Kitchens

Nov 28, 2023

A pewter-cow motif butter mold, priced at $365.

When collecting American folk art became hot in the 1970s, wooden butter molds with quaint carvings were ignored, but flat butter pats were collected. "Butter pats" are the tiny, individual plates on which a slice, or pat, of butter was served. The small plates were also called chips, pads and butters. Who knows why the molds weren't collected at the time? But, that has changed during the last two decades. Prices for wooden butter molds are still modest, except for rarities.

One of the reasons butter molds weren't, and aren't, as popular as butter pats may be because they are harder to display. They are often in two pieces, with a handle, and the design is on the inside. Collectors tend to exhibit them open with the design showing, and on shelves or in a cabinet.

Historically, the full-form figural molds were used as early as the late-15th century. By the 18th century, farmers themselves were making the full-form, wood molds in a variety of carved designs. They carved their names in reverse on the back so customers would know where the butter was made. It was a good idea, in case customers wanted to buy a favorite again.

A circa-1850 to 1880 plunger-type butter mold with a sheaf of wheat design.

The woods used were cherry, poplar, holly and sycamore.

Designs ranged from farm animals to large birds of prey, such as eagles. Hearts and Biblical subjects were also popular. British motifs were used before the American Revolution in New England molds.

Swan and reindeer designs are considered rarities.

Butter molds were also made of glass with images of fleur-de-lis or cows pressed into the glass.

Unlike the butter molds, there is nothing humble about butter pats. They came to Victorian dinner tables as part of the plates for individual foods. They were made of porcelain, silver or glass. English potteries such as Staffordshire and Ridgeway made them 3 to 4 inches in size. They were part of dinner table settings from 1850 to the 1950s and ’60s. After that, they were popular collectibles and still are. Even now, they are part of elegant dinner events.

The place at the table for butter pats was above the fork. They were made in a variety of designs and patterns that didn't necessarily match the dinner service patterns. They were round, square, and fan- and shell-shaped. Their motifs were often fish, fowl or floral.

A butter pat with a Dutch Delft motif.

Butter pat prices are usually under $30. Exceptions are made for whatever is currently trendy. Railroad pats are popular, with the name of the railroad printed on the back. Advertising examples and pats from certain art potteries can sell for over $200 each.

Information on butter pats can be found on various websites, in books and with The Butter Pat Association.

CLUES: Reproductions of butter pats are all over the market. Fortunately, prices are low.

Butter molds from the early 18th century show a Pennsylvania Dutch and Pennsylvania German influence. Popular motifs were religious images and hearts. Rare examples can sell at auctions for $1,000 or more.

Check out country farm estate sales. There are discoveries awaiting.

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