Red earthenware covered with a white slip and with incised decoration. Swiss (Langnau, Canton Berne), dated 1807

Bought

The dish and the strainer are considered to be original to each other.
Known examples of this type of vessel exist for the period 1750-1900 with one absolute last one in Basle dated 1904.
They are typical Emmenthal wares and known as ‘chüchli’ plates. They were used on special occasions such as Baptism, New Year, Harvest Thanksgiving when these ‘chüchli’ were made. They were fritters (just batter or e.g. apple in them) made from the local celebrated butter. The fritters were piled onto the dish with strainer in place inside. The fat would drip down through the strainer holes and could later be poured off for re-use as it was a precious commodity. On these occasions, the fritters were generously shared with e.g. servants, neighbours as part of the festivity.
This information derives from Swiss German literature, especially the works of Jeremias Gotthelf, who was writing in 1850s. Especially his book ‘The Black Spider’ which recounts such usage.
The building and landscape represented here is a fantasy and is characteristic of this type of decoration.

Langnau in the Emmental

1020-1905