Unusual and Marvelous Antique Carved Butter Pat with Pointing Hand and Snake

I splurged on this one because I think it is so lovely, and unusual, and while I have never paid a lot of attention to carved butter molds and pats, which I believe this is, it makes a very strong argument for paying more attention, though I have most definitely not seen another like this. The carved hand on one side with finger pointing upward makes me believe it dates to the 1880s or so, as it is right about then that one sees grave markers carved with hands pointing heavenward in just this manner. On the opposite side is a snake, I would guess straight from the Garden of Eden, representing the flip side to the heavenly path represented on the opposite. And then the wonderfully hatched and crosshatched squares divided into quadrants on either side (with star inside circle on the heaven-ward side), which I assume is what would be pressed into the butter. 

4” l x 1 11/16” w x 3/4” thick and in excellent condition, no flaws or issues whatsoever. Will stand up on its own.