Wine barrels of a certain volume (about 1,000 litres and above) have an opening cut into the bottom of the barrel through which a person can enter the interior to clean it. These "doors" are secured with the barrel latch when the barrel is full. In the 18th and 19th centuries, coopers from the Palatinate were particularly famous for their carved barrel bolts. They often depicted figures from mythology such as lion, dragon or mermaid, as well as solid, erotic motifs. See also under customs in viticulture and barrel.
Picture: Eye-catcher Old Times
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