Having a Firkin Purpose

When you see firkins listed for sale, they are most frequently described as a "sugar bucket" or just "bucket." Sometimes (especially ones which have been artistically painted), you'll see them called "sewing boxes." It is rare to see one correctly described as to its purpose as a butter keeper, because for the most part, the original insulative lining is not present. I picked mine up at a yard sale for a whopping $5 and was surprised to find the liner intact, not even cracked with age. I'm sure many of them must have been put to use as sugar buckets when their liners deteriorated, hence the misconception. Mine is serving its firkin purpose as a cat-proof needlework stash. Critter would love to get the lid off, but so far, he hasn't figured out how it works.

Mystery Object

Day 200: Some of my older readers may know what purpose this unusual object served in its day, although I am willing to bet that few of them know its proper name. It is roughly 7" tall (not counting the handle), 9" wide at the base tapering to 8" at the top, and has a red plastic liner 5" deep and 6" wide. The liner is not removable without loosening several screws which hold it in place. I use it to hold small balls of prepared wool top for spinning, since I'm sure that Tippy would love to play with them if he was given the chance. Oddly, I do not remember how I came into possession of a firkin, but there it sits, having found a second calling in fiberarts, its days of holding butter gone with the last moo of someone's family cow. In some households, it was more commonly called a "butter box." As near as I can tell from my research into the style and construction, it dates from 1900-1910.