Round or rectangular butter dish?

Question

Hi! Does anyone know the different purposes for these two types of butter dishes? Any tradition behind them, or reason for one vs. the other? Have you a preference, perhaps?

I'm wondering if perhaps one is more European, or something. We love setting a formal table, and we're trying to pick a butter dish to go with a new set. Both types are beautiful!

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Depends on the shape of your butter, of course.  Some oldsters would make butter in a large butter churn, and put some in the round butter crocks to harden.  Others would make a large block in a pan, and then cut it into the normal butter-size rectangles.