This craft employs wood as the basic fabrication material. Caskmaking was known as a craft of the ancient Slavs. At first small vessels were made and they were characterized by flat flanks. Bigger vessels including barrels, butts, and casks were introduced later during the medieval period exhibiting characteristic flask shapes.

In the medieval period caskmaking developed along with flourishing cities and trade. After Serbia’s liberation from the Turkish Empire many craftspeople came to Serbia from regions under the Austro-Hungarian rule. Along with them they brought new skills, tools and technologies.

This craft brings together different techniques of woodwork including chopping, cutting,

trimming, bending, and boring. Components were made of oak, chestnut or locust tree. Oak barrels are most suitable for keeping wine. Brandy is kept in mulberry or oak casks. Ash wood and pine tree are mostly suitable for bigger vessels.

As Serbia was among the biggest European exporters of wine, brandy, marmalade and jam, the transport of these goods was carried out with wood barrels. This craft was practiced by migrant workers – master craftspeople toured villages and towns where they produced items or carried out services and repairs.

The craft flourished while vineyard-growing and wine-making were key industries.

Similarly with other crafts in Serbia caskmaking is close to extinction. Demand for this sort of products is insignificant, because people today utilize vessels produced in factories. However, caskmaking products are still to be found in the wine cellars of Serbia. Some people still use big wooden casks for cabbage pickling.