Indian Butter Churn / Vessel

A pale, slim stump of a vessel with a tight collar below the rim.

This wooden butter churn or vessel is from Himachal Pradesh, India, and dates to the 20th century. It is wood. A churn works by agitating cream or curd until the fat separates into butter, and traditional versions in many regions use a wooden vessel and a wooden dasher. Tall carved cylinder tapering slightly toward the foot, its surface bleached silvery tan with patches of rough bark. A narrow collar band circles the top below an open, thick-walled mouth. It is 24 inches high and 8 in diameter.

Lean, weathered, and not given to chatter.