One star isn't what I give the actual product, but rather the experience I had trying to get it from Amazon. The first arrived broken; they sent a second one; it arrived in even worse shape than the first. Other reviewers have complained about the same thing - obviously the shipping method being used isn't adequate. I ended up getting one elsewhere - all it took was a little bubble wrap and it arrived in perfect shape.
The item itself is great, but I'd get it elsewhere!

We love having spreadable butter right by the toaster. Works great, especially in fall/winter when the house is a little cooler. We tried one from a potter first because we liked the looks better, but it had a lip on the butter dish part that was hard to work around when removing butter and cleaning. The open bell is much better.

Great product, does the job, thank goodness for old fashioned technology. Liked it so much bought another for a friend! AND he loves it!

This is an attractive, well-made and useful item. Put the butter in the top, add cold water to the base, invert the top and your butter will stay at room temperature (spreadable and easy to handle) and will not go rancid because no air can get to it.

I bought this to replace another one I had had for years. It works great! It stays on the counter so it's always readily available and is always at a spreadable temperature. It'll hold one stick of butter and the butter stays fresh for about one week (probably longer, but we go through it quickly). Add cold water to just cover the bell when inserted into the crock and no air is allowed into the butter chamber preventing rancid butter. Replace the water once a day. Enjoy!