Barrel Head Configuration Options

Any of our barrel head carvings, barrel head clocks or tasting/bistro table tops can be ordered in any of the 3 configurations shown here:

1. Tenth Barrel
2. Sixteenth Barrel
3. Flat Head

“Tenth Barrel” Configuration

Our flagship (and most popular) barrel head configuration is called a “Tenth Barrel” because it is approximately 1/10 the length of a full size 60 gallon wine barrel.

It is a real retired ~23″ diameter wine barrel head cut off from the barrel at the second hoop, with a ~4 to 5″ depth of surrounding side staves and two hoops.   (Dimensions vary somewhat from one cooperage to another.)   For strength and structural integrity, we mill out a recess around the inside back perimeter of the side staves and glue in a plywood or MDF (medium density fiberboard) backing which also serves as the mounting surface.

The head is completely dis-assembled, refurbished and glued to ensure against cracking.  The head is removed and milled down to fresh new oak and the hoops are completely refurbished before reassembly and final finish.

The piece can be wall mounted via 2 pairs of interlocking flush-mount hangers which we supply.  The pair we install on the backing slide down into and interlock with the pair installed by the customer on the wall or other mounting surface.

The tenth barrel makes the boldest statement given its size and authenticity, and remains the most popular configuration.  Because its size, weight and expense may not make it ideal for all applications, we also offer the configurations below.

“Sixteenth Barrel” Configuration

This configuration is called a “Sixteenth Barrel” because it is approximately one sixteenth the length of a full size barrel. This head looks identical to our Tenth Barrel from the front, but has a depth of only ~2″ due to including only the first hoop instead of the first two. To accomodate the demand for a smaller and lower cost configuration, we make this available in two diameters, 18″ and 21″.

For deep rich 3d carvings we use a solid oak head made from new, 1 inch thick quarter-sawn oak boards.  In order to further reduce its price for shallow 2d carvings like the one shown here, we use a specially made plywood head.  This very unique plywood is made with quarter-sawn oak veneer, with 4-6 inch wide slices over an MDF core.  The result is a look that is virtually indistinguishable from an authentic solid oak wine barrel head made from random width quarter-sawn solid oak staves. It is available with a single light weight mounting hook installed on the back for easy wall mounting.

“Flat Head” Configuration

Our “Flat Head” configuration is an authentic ~23″ diameter solid oak wine barrel head completely removed from the rest of the barrel (i.e. no hoops or side staves).  Like our tenth barrel heads, the flat head staves are completely dis-assembled, separated and glued together for lasting strength, and a plywood backing is added for additional strength and stability and to resist warping.  It is available with a single lighter weight mounting hook installed on the back for easy wall mounting.

It has the same beauty, quality and authenticity of our tenth barrel but in a much lower profile, lighter weight and lower cost.