002.196.Idrija

Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija

510:IDR;RZ-575

Mine, Daily life

The carbide lamp is composed of two parts. In the lower part (made out of iron pipe), the carbide is stored (10 hours of burning with a single loading of 17dag of carbide), its loading is enabled by the bolt at the bottom of the carbide lamp. The upper part contains water. Since this is the older (Austrian) type of lamp, the water flow is regulated with a regulator, positioned in the middle of the bottom part (“poden” – bottom). The bolt goes through the carbide to the upper part, which has a slot for a rubber seal. The carbide lamp has a burner (“brener”) – a conus thread, composed of two parts. It has a hook, but no light reflector. There is a miner registration number 144 engraved on the front.

Diameter 9.8 cm, height 22 cm.

Iron, brass.

The beginning of the 20th century.

Manufacturer information is not known.

For carbide lamp operation, optimum water flow was crucial. The water dripped from the upper part of the carbide lamp onto the carbide (in the lower part), and the process was regulated. Carbide in contact with water produced the gas for the lighting – acetylene. These lamps gave off more than three to four times more light than oil lamps and were also more affordable. After 1913, the miners used the carbide lamp for going into and out of the pit and to light the area of the ore digging. The carbide lamps, which gave off much better light, were also used for private purposes - for various tasks such as bobbin lacemaking and socialising in the evenings. They were also a good indicators of gas in the pit, as they turned off when the concentration of the gas was too strong. The handle was used for hanging the lamp on the belt. The hook was used for hanging the lamp on the beam or the rock crack. In 1960s, they started using battery lamps for working in the pit. The miners mostly sold their carbide lamps to the surrounding villages of Idrija, where there were used until electrification (1970).

The carbide lamp is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the mine collection of the Idrija Municipal Museum. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum exhibition “Five Centuries of the Mercury Mine and the Town of Idrija”. It can be used for different types of mercury heritage promotions.

Idrija Mercury Mine (personal, working equipment of a miner).

Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (showroom 7).

The carbide lamp is fully preserved, with the exception of the light reflector. A conservation procedure was performed on it. All inner and outer parts of the lamp were cleaned and protected. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is taken care of.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

6. 3. 2018

Never