A rare example of a 19th century continental (possibly French) 'plunger' butter churn.
 
Made of three parts - the churn, the plunger/dasher and the lid. The wood has shrunk slightly because of repeated wetting and drying out and so the barrel is narrower than it was originally. You can see where the bands have slipped down slightly because the original rings are lighter on the wood. The wooden plunger looks like a long broom handle and at the end is a circular disc with holes. This was sometimes called a dasher. The lid was fitted on top to stop the cream splashing over in waves when it was churned.
 
In very good original condition.  A lovely decorative piece of antique kitchenalia