A rare Meissen butter cooler mid 18th century

A rare Meissen butter cooler mid 18th century, of oval form, pierced to the sides and base with rows of small circular holes, painted with small sprigs of deutsche Blumen, blue crossed swords mark, 14.8cm across.

Butter coolers were designed to allow condensation to drain from the butter, which formed owing to the change in temperature when it was brought into the dining room from the scullery.