Superb Vintage Handcrafted English Glazed Pottery “Guernsey” Cow & Milk Churns Salt & Pepper Cruet Set (6/15cm, 225g).

Marvellous item. Would make a lovely gift. Please browse all 24 sets of photographs attached for size, weight and condition as they are self explanatory.

Historically the milk churn was invented by Sir George Barham in the late 1800s. In Britain, Ireland and other European countries, milk churns would be left by dairy farmers by the roadside on purpose-built platforms, or stands, at the right height to be loaded on to the dairy's cart & horse, cows or later on bicycles or lorries. They fell out of use when milk began to be collected by tanker from the farm and ceased entirely by 1979.

Milk churns were used right up to the 1960s and '70s, and many farmers still delivered their own milk, but by automobile and truck instead of wagon.

Originally the victorians made use of terracotta pots that had been soaked in water. In temperate climates, the cooling properties were sufficient to keep cheeses and milk at a low temperature for every bit as long as in our modern refrigerators.