»Brutal« Grey French Butter Dish | Genuine Stoneware Ceramic
N° ICSG4

The »Brutal« French butter dish in lichen-grey is a minimal, unobtrusive object. Use this timeless, self-cooling ceramic butter jar design for serving softly spreadable butter. While the lid contains the butter, the jar contains the water, that cools the butter without needing a fridge. This French butter dish is delivered with a wooden butter knife, that helps to fill the container with butter. All REH (GERMANY) stoneware ceramics are crafted by one of the last family-run stoneware ceramic manufacturers in Germany. Since they are fired with 1300 °C, all ceramics are dishwasher-safe, and withstand water heated up to 70 °C.

The distinct grey-green glaze is reminiscent of the natural colour of lichen on trees or the colouration of raw concrete, which is why this stoneware ceramic Butter dish is named »Brutal«, in reference to brutalist architectural buildings.

Pair it with the matching ceramic jar with lid and collect your personal range of REH (GERMANY) stoneware ceramics.

This ceramic is part of the grey and unglazed »Singular« Tableware Collection designed in 2021, which emerged out of the black and white ceramic collection »Polar« from 2015. All ceramics are designed to be mixed with each other in every day life.

Embracing both polarity and singularity, becomes a path to understanding the profound interplay of existence. It invites us to navigate life's complexities while recognising the underlying unity that binds us all. In this delicate dance between the dual and singular, we find a deeper connection to the fabric of existence itself.

Singular Product

While our ceramic collections seem homogeneous at first, each piece is singular with subtle unique differences, influenced by factors such as hand-thrown production on the potter's wheel, glazing, shrinkage during the drying processes, and the varying heat temperatures depending on the oven placement during the double-firing process.

Handcrafted Tradition

Using hand-thrown stoneware embodies the idea of a connection between an artist and a community, a link with other people rather than with factories, machines or corporations. Since hand-thrown stoneware ceramics are based on the tradition of human interaction, they represent an investment in an aesthetic that values patience and celebrates humanity in object.

• Delivered with wooden butter knife
• Grey glaze
• Narrow lid
• Subtle speckles
• Hand-thrown signatured ceramic
• Dishwasher-safe
• Waterproof

Artisanal Process and Excellence

All REH (GERMANY) ceramics are entirely made by hand, from shaping the stoneware on a potter’s wheel to glazing. The entire handmade production with drying periods and a double-firing process for each ceramic piece takes about 14 days.

Difference between Earthenware, Stoneware and Porcelain

In the current market, there is often confusion between earthenware (Steingut) and stoneware (Steinzeug). It’s crucial to differentiate between the two, as earthenware tends to be of lower quality, more affordable, and less durable compared to authentic stoneware ceramics.

1.0 Earthenware is fired at lower temperatures (1000-1100°C), making it porous and less dense. It’s relatively soft and can chip or break easily, and is less water-resistant compared to stoneware or porcelain.

2.0 Stoneware, fired at higher temperatures (1200-1300°C), is denser and more robust due to a higher clay mineral density, offering better liquid resistance and durability, especially when fired at 1300°C. Therefore all REH (GERMANY) stoneware ceramics are fired with a temperature of 1300 °C. The grey or speckled clay give the stoneware ceramics its natural character in colour and texture.

3.0 Porcelain, is equally fired at very high temperatures (1300°C), has a dense, glass-like surface and is exceptionally hard, impact-resistant, and durable, owing to a higher kaolin content.

In summary, porcelain and stoneware fired at 1300 °C are the highest quality and most durable materials. The higher the firing temperature and the purer the composition, the finer and more durable the end product.

Function and Durability

The high-quality stoneware ceramics are dishwasher-safe and waterproof, as they are fired at temperatures of 1300°C, similar to porcelain. The ceramics withstand heat and water heated up to 70 °C. Our teapots, planters, vases etc. are also waterproof and won’t leak. Therefore, both stoneware tableware and plantware are ideal for the use in restaurants, cafés, hotels, or at home.

Clay

The grey clay features very few subtle speckles. At high furnace temperatures, the iron in the basalt-spots melts, leaving behind very few, fine but dark spots. The nature of the speckled effect depends on the size of the particles, the distribution of sizes, their abundance, the colour of the clay and the degree to which they melt. Another factor is the characteristics of the glaze e.g. degree of matteness, colour, thickness of application, the way it interacts with the basalt-spots, has as well an effect on the appearance. Therefore each piece has a very unique character, moreover slight deviations in size are possible due to the handmade quality.

All Resources

Product Material

100% grey clay (Origin: Germany

Care Guide Card

100% Natural Cardpaper

Packaging

100% Recycled Packaging Materials

Clean by hand or in a dishwasher at 70 °C or a higher temperature.

To remove stains or any other possible deposits caused by tea or coffee, simply use a metal sponge or scouring milk.

Diameter: 11 cm

Height: 9 cm

Note: Slight deviations are possible due to the handmade quality.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Choosing our stoneware ceramics means acquiring more than just high-quality ceramics. Above all, you’re supporting artisans and safeguarding their invaluable expertise in crafting stoneware ceramics, thereby preserving this artisanal tradition as cultural heritage.

The traditional, family-operated Saxon ceramic manufacturer, responsible for crafting all the stoneware tableware and plantware designs by REH (GERMANY), was established during the German Democratic Republic (DDR) in 1976. To this day, it remains a small, dedicated team.