What is the purpose of the hole?

Charles Neel
Red River Archaeology
Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 5, 2015, at 7:26 PM, "Susan Walter" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> It is an insert to hold butter or some other food above a chamber filled with ice.
> I've seen em utilitarian like these, and fancier - of porcelain, for instance.
> S. Walter
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: Stacy Kozakavich
> Sent: Monday, January 05, 2015 2:54 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Ceramic Artifact ID?
> 
> Hello All,
> 
> I've found a few examples of a ceramic artifact type in the collection of a California historic house museum, and I can't figure out what they are.
> 
> The objects are circular white earthenware discs, glazed and undecorated, between 6" and 8" in diameter, with what appears to be a footring, and with a single approximately 1/2" hole in the center of each. The hole was cut before glazing.
> 
> A picture can be viewed here: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13574856/Ceramic_Artifact.jpg (this photo is of two of the objects stacked on top of one another).
> 
> I'd appreciate the input of anyone knows this artifact.
> 
> Thanks,
> Stacy Kozakavich
> Oakland, CA