butter dish
{{Short description|Tableware for holding butter}}
{{distinguish|Butter dishes, List of}}
A butter dish is defined as "a usually round or rectangular dish often with a drainer and a cover for holding butter at table".{{cite web|title=Butter Dish|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butter%20dish|website=Merriam Webster|accessdate=18 June 2017}} Before refrigerators existed, a covered dish made of crystal, silver, or china housed the butter.{{cite web|title=Dean's Corner-Butter Dishes and Butter: A History|url=http://www.replacements.com/thismonth/archive/v1402t.htm|website=Replacements, Ltd.|accessdate=18 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530185011/http://replacements.com/thismonth/archive/v1402t.htm|archive-date=30 May 2016|url-status=dead}} These butter dishes were made to hold the traditional round shape of butter at the time and came with an "ice chamber" to keep the butter cold.{{cite web|title=What is the history of the silver butter dish and how is it used?|url=https://beverlybremersilver.wordpress.com/2009/10/07/what-is-the-history-of-the-silver-butter-dish-and-how-is-it-used/|website=Beverly Bremer Silver Shop|accessdate=18 June 2017}} Another type of butter dish, a French butter dish, keeps butter fresh by using water to keep the butter away from the air, thereby keeping it fresh.{{cite web|title=French Butter Dishes|url=https://itotd.com/articles/215/french-butter-dishes/|website=Interesting Thing of the Day|accessdate=18 June 2017}} The water is placed into the base of the dish and the butter is put into a bell-shaped lid, creating an air seal.{{cite web|title=French Butter Dish|url=http://www.frenchbutterdish.com/FAQ.php|website=James Sloss Pottery|accessdate=18 June 2017}}