Butter Molder
1935/1942
Medium
watercolor and graphite on paper
Dimensions
overall: 34.5 x 27.6 cm (13 9/16 x 10 7/8 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.9020
Art Historical Context
Behold the *Butter Molder*, a delicate watercolor and graphite rendering by artist Della Button, created between 1935 and1942. Measuring 34.5 x 27.6 cm, this work captures the intricate wooden form of a traditional butter molder—a humble yet essential tool used by American homemakers and farmers to press and shape fresh butter into decorative pats. Button's precise graphite outlines and soft watercolor washes bring out the object's tactile grain and subtle curves, evoking the craftsmanship of everyday rural life. This piece is a gem from the Index of American Design, a ambitious Works Progres...