Known as a bouchonneuse, this French cast iron wine bottle corker would have been used at a vineyard in Normandy to seal wine bottles before the advent of mass production methods. Our model, which is from circa 1910, stands 26 3/4 inches tall and would have been positioned on the floor during use. The basin and one side of the shaft have been stamped with a production mark that reads “Fonderie de Maromme”. Maromme is a commune in the Normandy region that was an industrial center for France in the mid-19th through early 20th centuries.

Most of the functional bouchonneuse is made from durable cast iron, with the exception of the wooden handle. When activating the lever, it places downward pressure onto the cork, which is sufficient to seal a wine bottle. The bottle rests on a plate (seen above the lower basin), which is removable to accommodate bottles larger than the standard 750 mL. Our cast iron French bouchonneuse is the perfect accessory for a wine room or kitchen.

CONDITION: Good antique condition with wear commensurate to age and use, including minor buildup and rubs. Wood worm loss to lower bottle plate. The plate that the bottle sits on can be removed for larger bottles.