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How to Tell Dazey Butter Churn Reproductions From Vintage

According to webexhibits.org "The earliest churns were goatskins or other primitive containers in which cream could be agitated." From that point onwards people used dash churns, barrel churns, tin churns, stoneware churns and finally, glass churns. Founded by Nathan P. Dazey, the Dazey Company is famous for its glass butter churns. While authentic Dazey butter churns are antiques and collector's items, they are often hard to distinguish from reproductions which often try to mimic certain unique features. However, authentic ones often have certain identifying features.

Instructions

- 1
  Turn the jar over and look for telltale signs of wear on the bottom of the jar. Because a family most likely used an authentic Dazey butter churn, the bottom of the glass will most likely be worn down slightly or scratched from family members sliding it across counters and table tops.
- 2
  Flip the butter churn over so that it's right side up and look for tiny chips or flecks in the glass lip of the churn, just underneath the metal lid. These traits are common in authentic churns as former users would sometimes bump the churn when using it.
- 3
  Look at the Dazey imprint on the glass. The letters should be completely raised and crisp and not at all hard to read.
- 4
  Turn the entire churn around slowly in your hands and look for tiny bubbles in the glass, created when manufacturers blew the glass. These features are typical of authentic churns.
- 5
  Place your hands all around the metal handles and lid. It should not feel rough, a characteristic common for reproductions as they are not made with the careful craftsmanship of the past. It should feel solid and smooth.

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