Skip to content
Butter pats (pair)

Butter pats (pair)

Shared by Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Butter pats were used to press excess water out of churned and washed butter, cut the butter into portions, and mould it into blocks. One side of each of these pats has been carved with vertical parallel lines, while on the other side they have a slightly bevelled edge. Both have handles carved at one end. New Zealand Butter Until dairy factories were established in New Zealand in the 1880s and 1890s, all butter was locally-made and produced by individuals in relatively small quantities. Most families kept a cow or two for their own dairy needs, and exchanged surplus butter for other goods at the local store. The butter was made by agitating cream in a churn until the fat globules clumped together, and then draining off the buttermilk. The butter had to be thoroughly washed and salted before it could be packed, wrapped, distributed or consumed.

Ngā whakamārama -
Details

Kei hea tēnei taonga? -
Where is this item held?

  • Additional information including high resolution images may be available.

  • Location

    Cable Street, Wellington

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Whare taonga | Organisation

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Ngā here ki runga i ngā whakaahua o tēnei taonga? -
What can you do with images of this item?

  • You must check with Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa to confirm terms of use and any attribution requirements, but this is our understanding:

  • Use for private study, research, criticism, review, or education

    NZ Copyright law allows for the use of copyrighted works in specific circumstances. Consider what you can do under copyright law.

  • Share

    You can share this image without further permission.

  • Text adapted with permission from Te Papa and Digital NZ

Tāpirihia he kōrero anō -
Improve this record

  • Can you help us? Share names, details and stories to help enrich the collection.

    Contact contributor