I admire Julia Child for many reasons, including her assertion that a little butter is one of life’s sublime pleasures.

It also stands to reason that tearing a hole in the toast with cold, hard butter is an unfortunate frustration of the human existence. As an exalted indulgence, butter should be at the ready. Soft. Supple. Spreadable.

That is why the Butter Bell rings my chimes. Inspired by traditional kitchens in France, L. Tremain developed the crocks from durable china. The Butter Bell keeps butter fresh and soft without refrigeration. And when you have scraped the last bit from the bell, you just pop it in the dishwasher. Magnifique!

The signature line of Butter Bell crocks features raised floral patterns. Or go with classic white, with red or blue lettering. There’s Butter — one of the most beautiful words in the English language — on one side and the French word Beurre on the other. The polka-dot bell comes with a cute, spotted spreader.

Here’s how it works. Take a stick of butter out of the fridge and allow it to soften. Mash the butter into the bell. Pour about half a cup of cold water into the crock. Then insert the bell in the crock. Keep away from heat and out of direct sunlight. Replace the water every two days. One stick of butter lasts up to four weeks. Really!

It’s a super low-tech kitchen gadget for the foodies on your gift list. And there’s a special deal at Butter Bell. Buy two crocks at prices starting at $21.95 and a get a third for free.