Butter dome

I'm rethinking that, suddenly. But it looks right in the picture - are your diameter measurements a little off?

You were right the first time....a butter dish. "in the olden days" butter was churned at home and then worked with butter paddles and perhaps molded in a butter mold or just worked into a round and put in the dish. The inset with the holes was to allow any excess buttermilk to drain away.

Here is a link that might be useful: butter mold

Thank you Lindac, I knew you would know what it was. You too, duluthinbloomz4. That was our first thought, but wondered why the shape was round. Grandmother certainly did not make her own butter from butter molds. We think she ran out of things to paint, and found the dish. lol

Thank you!

What's the mark on the bottom....just out of curiosity....
Linda C...(Note!!! My last name begins with "C"!!...Like on you dish....just say'in....if you don't have a use for it)

lol, Linda. I can not look on the bottom. The piece, along with the complete place setting of matching china is now wrapped up for my nieces. Most of the pieces that I have, and have seen all have just my grandmothers name and date on the bottoms. She painted and fired so many items, it has been overwhelming deciding who gets what, or wants what!