Butter cooler 1855 - 1865

This butter cooler was made by W S & S. At first glance, it might seem like a simple piece of functional pottery, but it offers a glimpse into the intricate dance between domesticity, class, and cultural aspirations. During a time when access to refrigeration was limited, the butter cooler would have been a necessary item. Its design, adorned with seashells, is interesting. Seashells represented luxury and leisure, and were associated with wealth. Pieces like this butter cooler were not merely functional objects; they were symbols of status and taste. They reflected a desire to emulate the lifestyles of the upper classes. During an era marked by rapid industrialization and social stratification, owning such an item would have been a statement. It spoke of upward mobility and a cultivated sensibility. The piece highlights how everyday objects can embody complex social meanings.