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Throughout the middle hills area of Nepal, we find this ubiquitous tool - the butter churn handle, known in Nepali as a "neti". Neti act as sort of axis for the churning rod. One end of the neti is tied to rope or cord, and the rope is in turn tied to a post, or some other fixed object. The churn's stick passes through the hole in the neti, with the churning end inserted into the butter jar. There is another churning rope tied around the churn stick in such a way that the two ends of the rope are held (one each) in the butter maker's two hands. Alternately pulling one end of the rope and then the other towards oneself causes the churning stick to twist back and forth, churning the liquid into butter.

The neti is an essential item, and was traditionally found in every household. What could be a simple wooden ring, as mechanically speaking that would be all that is required for such an implement, has evolved into a great domestic art form. The neti has become one of the distinctive mediums for expression by village artisans. The variety of neti are truly astounding and the vary from very simple, to highly elaborate requiring high levels of carving skill.

This particular neti combines a zoomorphic theme, with curvilinear, serpent like shapes and a hollowed section with a wood ball rattle inside. This last feature is a popular theme that clearly requires a very skilled craftsman. In the case of this particular neti, the neti would have been "tied off" at the elephant, with the rope going from there to a fixed stationary pillar. The face and hind end of the elephant exhibits considerable wear.
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