It is typical for the crowns to vary depending on the period and type of use. Most of them are in a round or a cylindrical shape. At the bottom, they are separated and end with variously shaped blades. In many cases, the blade is composed of four cogs, forming an equilateral cross, which has a square groove in the middle. Instead of cogs, some crowns have diagonally broken blade (in the shape of an inverse letter “Z”). Some crowns have a square crown on the side or in the middle.
Measures
11 crowns of different dimensions.
Materials
Steel, iron.
Dating
The time of creation is unknown.
Author / Producer
Manufacturer information is not known.
Picture attachments
Original use
Crowns were the integral part of the drills and were used as nozzles. They were used in the 20th century, namely mostly for drilling in hard rocks, for different needs of working in the pit of the Idrija Mercury Mine. The groove on the side or in the middle of the crown, served for the removal of the drilled material. Especially when drilling into hard rock, it was necessary to sharpen the crowns (and drills) also during the work in the pit. Within the outdoor plants of the Mine, the sharpening plant also operated, where the blunt crowns (and drills) were sharpened at the end of the working shift.
Present use
A total of 11 crowns are being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. Visitors can view most of them within the permanent exhibition “Five Centuries of the Mercury Mine and the Town of Idrija”. Some of them are stored in the depot and can be used for occasional museum exhibitions. They can also be used for different types of mercury heritage promotions.
Original location
Idrija Mercury Mine (miner’s working equipment).
Present location
Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (showroom 7); Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 2 depot.
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
All items were conserved before 1995, during the time of preparations for the opening of the permanent museum exhibition. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is taken care of.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible: