Late Victorian
Circa late 19th to early 20th century | England
A small highly carved antique wooden butter print of a wheatsheaf with a stylised border. In the late nineteenth to early twentieth century the wheat motif was often carved and celebrated by the farmer (see The Gen). This small stamp would make a wonderful addition to any butter stamp collection.
DIMENSIONS: Diameter of stamp face 8.8 cm, Height 5.5 cm.
CONDITION: In good condition, wear consistent with an antique age and use. There is a crack and the lathe hole goes all the way through the handle.
REFERENCES: For examples of similar antique prints of wheat see Butter Prints and Molds, Paul E. Kindig, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1986, pp 158–160. See also the antique wheatsheaf print at the Victoria & Albert Museum collection, Accession Number CIRC.178-1914.
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THE GEN
“The sheaf of wheat was one of the most popular designs. The reason is rather obvious if one examines the life style at the time of the early mold carvers. Wheat was one of the staples. A farmer’s life depended upon wheat and other grains for his own use and to sell or trade for goods which he would need during winter. It is only fitting that the sheaf of wheat be used to decorate and identify a product that the farmer took great pride in making and selling.” (Butter Molds A Primitive Art Form, James E. Trice, Wallace-Homestead Book Co, 1973, p. 33)
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