1850 or 1860s Stoneware Butter Crocks?

[poilu1917]

All,
Does anyone know where I can find an image or description of an 1850s or 1860s stoneware butter crock? Looking for an example to possibly have made that is small (not those 2 gallon types). Basically the kind that would have been used for storing small amounts of butter at a house or farm. Thanks in advance for your time and help.

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: 1850 or 1860s Stoneware Butter Crocks?

The site Old & Interesting will provide some descriptions and photos.

Stoneware is not your only period choice for tableware butter containers. Many pattern glass and china companies made butter dishes that would have graced dining tables from grand to humble. If your butter came in a care package, you're right to choose a butter crock. If your butter came from a farm-wife's table, though... consider a transferware or white-ware china one instead.

[poilu1917]

Re: 1850 or 1860s Stoneware Butter Crocks?

Elaine, thanks for the link. That was definitely an interesting site. Here are some reproductions I have run across thus far in my search. Any insight as to their quality would be greatly appreciated from anyone who knows more than I on the details:

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info...oducts_id=1230

http://enssc.com/ImageViewer.asp?Ima...ageName=119074

http://jas-townsend.com/product_info...oducts_id=1175

I am looking for a smaller crock to use in a traveling basket or care package (something definitely smaller than a gallon) that would be correct for Eastern/Western theater civilian use (and by default poss military of course). Thanks!

[Elaine Kessinger]

Re: 1850 or 1860s Stoneware Butter Crocks?

The first link is the better of the three choices.

Redware is brittle and by The War had been replaced by china and glass... except in a few choice pockets still producing it. Since you want to be able to use this anywhere, any time... not a logical choice.

The white china one is more common in an apothecary... of the 18th century Jas. Townsend caters to. Soldiers in the army might get creative on container usage, but a housewife wouldn't. Think of it this way... say you had a friend who worked in a drug processing situation and brought home a bulk container that *might* have previously held poison.. or not, ya just don't know... would you use that to store butter in your fridge or would you re-use the plastic tub ya bought butter in last time?

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Le-Chef-French-White-Ceramic-3-piece-Butter-Keeper-Set/5408437/product.html

[poilu1917]

Re: 1850 or 1860s Stoneware Butter Crocks?

Elaine, thanks again for your insight on this topic. The crock was the one I was leaning toward initially of the three because of its versatility and plainess and I believe I read somewhere that redware usage was pretty much phased out by the 1860s like you said.

The link you added at the bottom of your post, do you think that to be a good style that would have been seen in the 1860s? I saw some of those on various sights but thought them modern when compared to the documented larger period crocks. Thanks again for your time and help.