Definition: barrel or cask

A typical Valais utensil, it is a very small, elongated barrel with a capacity of up to 3 litres. These barrels were made from a single piece of wood (monoxyles) or from staves bound with wood. The bung, sometimes attached to a string fixed to the barrel, was always made of wood. The barrel was carried by a cord, strap or chain attached to the upper hoop. Workers filled it with wine to take to the fields and vineyards. They always drank directly from the container. In summer, it was placed in a bisse to keep the wine cool.