Primitive, Much Used Antique Cheese Making Board with Carved Drain old faithful dramatically contrasting with the second

dramatically contrasting with the second little arm and hand at her side

patented 1897

with the seven gesturing hands to my eye together making for quite a satisfying composition

but that was a bare-knuckled match

or perhaps to stick like a post into a bowl full of pretty rocks and pebbles

Primitive, Much Used Antique Cheese Making Board with Carved Drain old faithful dramatically contrasting with the secondThe dealer I purchased this from (in Vermont) had it marked as a "lye board," but I am near certain it is in fact a 19th c. cheese making board, with hand carved drain. (I've included an image of one for reference at end of photos.) I find it a supremely beautiful thing, like the most elemental drawing in the world, and also like a painting, with the white stain from the cheese making process filling the circle and bleeding out just a bit beyond. The