002.198.Idrija

Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

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

510:IDR;RZ-585

Mine, Daily life

According to its height, it is a smaller carbide lamp of Italian military construction. It is composed of two round parts. In the lower part the carbide is stored, its loading, and in general the closing of the carbide lamp is enabled by the pins on the side. The upper part contains water. The water flow is regulated with a regulator. Burner (“brener”) - conus thread is on the top. The carbide lamp does not have a handle and a light reflector in its design, but it does have a semicircular hook. In front of the lamp, there is a brass plate with the manufacturer’s name engraved.

Diameter 7.2 cm, height 16 cm.

Iron, copper.

The beginning of the 20th century.

Gondar, Aquila, Italy.

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. The carbide lamp of Italian manufacturing was initially used for military purposes. Later, the miners used it for going into and out of the pit and to light the area of the ore digging. They 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 described carbide lamp is being preserved, secured and presented as an 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 water regulator and the burner. 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