Object Name
Paddle, Butter
Materials
Wood
Catalogue Number
2003-09.07
Dimensions
L: 26.1cm W: 7.9cm H: 6.5cm
Description
A wooden butter paddle. It is made of a light brown softwood. The handle is curved upward in a convex form, while the sides are flat. The paddle head has straight sides and convexly curved top and bottom edges. The top side tapers to a thin edge. The front and back sides are flat.
History
After churning, butter needs to be washed and the buttermilk drained. These paddles, sometimes called “butter hands”, were used in pairs to work and shape the butter. A farmhand would beat the butter with these paddles to squeeze out any excess buttermilk, then mix in salt and other flavourings. Then, the butter would be scooped into a mold or rolled into balls for individual portions.
