Village yard sale

Last week a little sign went up in our village shop: 'posh junk sale, this Sunday, 10am - 3pm.' It was to be held in the garden of a very pretty old house five minutes away from our street. So, on my way to fetch the Sunday paper, I called in. I bought these two chippy old rose platters, above, and another, rather amazing object. Can  you guess what this is?

Apparently, it would have been used to skim the cream from the milk in a traditional dairy. Very Tess of the D'Urbervilles! I don't know what I will do with it, as it is absolutely mahoosive, but I just fell for it. I think it made from elm, and it has some cracks and old woodworm holes, but the patina is just gorgeous. It is so smooth and burnished. And for only £5, I couldn't resist it. I can imagine using it at Christmas, although I'd need about a tonne of oranges to fill it up. I also came home (staggered really) with a pretty little Victorian bedroom chair. My son was incredulous. "Mum, I thought you said you were just going to get the paper!"