| SMITHS-WHEELWRIGHTS WORKSHOP
SQUARE-HOUSE
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SMITHS-WHEELWRIGHTS WORKSHOP In the country, the smiths-wheelwrights workshops functioned in close connection with agriculture and winegrowing. The smaller workshops, which were in most cases inherited together with the entire equipment, were managed by householders, aided by their sons or male relatives. Such workshops were most often a kind of repair shops, in which damaged farming tools were mended, horses shoed, undercarriages strengthened with metal parts, and rims of wheels as well as iron equipment for houses made. Minor orders from relatives or fellow villagers were also taken, while those more skilful and better equipped frequently made or repaired tools for people elsewhere, especially if trained for making carts, wine presses, casks and yokes, the products that were more or less within the domain of wheelwrights. The golden age of smiths and wheelwrights trade was directly linked with the development of teaming (horse carting) from the 16th century onwards. Its downfall began after World War II as a result of the ever increasing use of tractors. |
