Indian Butter Churn / Vessel

Plump, wide-bodied, and faintly freckled with red, like a barrel with opinions.

This wooden butter churn or vessel is from Himachal Pradesh, India, and dates to the 20th century. It is wood. Turned or carved from wood, vessels of this type are generally made to be sturdy and easy to clean, with thick walls that suit repeated daily use. Broad, softly tapered vessel in warm tan with a thick rim and a shallow groove below it. The surface is dry and scuffed, with thin reddish traces and a few dark spots near the heavy base. It is 19 inches high and 9.5 in diameter.

Rounded, worn, and perfectly at home.