Butter molds date all the way back to the early 17th century and were used primarily as a decorative way to present butter pats. The mold itself carries on to this day in various forms. Many of these molds can be found in flea markets, garage sales and antique shops. Finding just the right mold for a collection is half the fun and frustration of starting one.
Instructions
1. Determine what type and period butter mold you want to collect. Many of the earliest molds are found in antiques stores and can be quite expensive.
2. Look for Victorian butter molds to start a collection. Butter molds from the Victorian era are common and can be had at a reasonable price. Ask the seller if they know of any other butter molds from other sources to build a reputable seller list.
3. Watch for reproductions. Often, reproductions make their way onto the market with no intent of fooling a buyer, yet without full disclosure, that terrific butter mold might be worth only half its cost.
4. Choose butter molds that are pleasing to the collector. Some collectors collect only animal butter molds, while others prefer molds with scenes. As long as the price is right and the quality is there, it's hard to make a bad decision.
5. Build an eclectic and comprehensive collection of various butter molds. Butter molds throughout the centuries have included glass, copper and even wooden forms. Lead was used for centuries before being removed from production.
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