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Subiaco Museum > Records

BUTTER COOLER

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c. 1920

Overview

Unglazed earthenware butter cooler, consisting of a biscuit coloured, bell-shaped lid over a recessed dish. While in use, the dish was filled with water as well as a block of wood.

Historical information

This item was used by the mother of Mrs D W Aris and Miss J Doggett, the donors.

The cup containing butter is placed into the base, where water creates an airtight seal that keeps the air (and thus oxygen) away from the butter so that refrigeration is not needed, and the butter can be used in its soft form. This method will keep butter for around a month provided it is kept at temperatures below 27 °C and the water is changed regularly.

Details

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-43-1989.398a-b

Item type

Width

235 mm

Height or length

185 mm

Keywords

DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT

Food Presentation

Photographed 2023

ARIS (nee Doggett) Doxie W

Year

Statement of significance

Historical. Example of butter cooler of the period.

Public Location

DISP.MUSEUM.GALLERY2

Last modified

Monday, 30 June, 2025

Completeness

94

Subiaco Museum

Subiaco Museum

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