Vintage Arabia Burgundy Floral Covered Butter Dish | c. 1935

Your butter has been living in a paper wrapper. Meanwhile, this exists. A little floral residence with its own lid, decorative borders and a proper knob on top. We are not saying your butter deserves better accommodation, but it has been very patient.

This Arabia covered butter dish comes from Finland and dates to circa 1935. Burgundy-coloured flowers and leafy borders decorate the creamy white body, lid and shaped underplate. Even the knob gets a little decoration. Apparently somebody at the design stage said “That will do,” and was politely ignored.

The circa-1935 date places this piece in the interwar period, well before the middle of the twentieth century. It is a lovely reminder that an everyday object can carry a little history without needing to retire behind museum glass. Although judging by its like-new condition, this one has taken looking after itself rather more seriously than we have.

We love the contrast between its cheerful flowers and its very serious commitment to butter presentation. Put it on a kitchen dresser or make it the centre of your breakfast table. The toast may still be slightly burnt, but at least one member of the breakfast team will have turned up beautifully dressed.

• Maker: Arabia
• Origin: Finland
• Date: circa 1935
• Dimensions: 17 x 11 cm
• Weight: 600 g
• Covered butter dish with underplate
• Burgundy floral and leafy decoration on a creamy white ground
• Backstamp: Arabia, Made in Finland
• Condition: like new

A pre-owned vintage piece in like-new condition. Please inspect all six photographs, including the interior and maker's mark.

WARNING: This butter dish may cause a perfectly ordinary breakfast to develop unreasonable standards. Maison de L'oro accepts no responsibility if your butter refuses to return to its wrapper or your marmalade starts asking when its own accommodation will be upgraded.