Name 1
SAFETY LAMP 2
Name 2
/
ID number
002.203.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija
Local / Original ID Number
510:IDR;RZ-700
Type of Object
Mine, Daily life
Description
Short description
The main parts of a three-tier lamp are a carbide chamber, a glass cylinder, a double net, a lighter and a lock. It has a steel cover on the top, which has a hook for carrying the lamp. There is a glass cylinder under the cover, which has a scale marked for methane or carbon dioxide concentration reading. The cylinder has a tightly woven double wire net inside. Above the petrol tank, there is a magnetic safety lock.
Measures
Diameter 9 cm, height 44.8 cm.
Materials
Steel, brass, glass.
Dating
End of the 19th century
Author / Producer
Manufacturer information is not known.
Picture attachments
Original use
The safety lamp was used for determining the presence of methane or carbon dioxide, at the site of the Idrija Mercury Mine, in the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. There was a carbide tank with a wick under the glass cylinder, which enabled the petrol to burn in the lamp. The flame was visible through the glass cylinder and according to the flame height the concentration of the gas was visible on the scale. Double implementation of the net above the flame prevented the inner flame in the lamp from igniting the mixture of oxygen and pit gas, which might have appeared on the site. The pit air passed through the nets to the flame. The presence of methane in the atmosphere increased the flame, and the flame died if there was a lack of oxygen. The magnetic safety lock prevented the unauthorised opening of the lamp on the site.
Present use
The safety 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 also be used for different types of mercury heritage promotions.
Original location
Idrija Mercury Mine.
Present location
Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (showroom 1).
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The safety lamp is fully preserved with all original parts. The conservation procedure was performed on it for the needs 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:
- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
6. 3. 2018
Date Edited
Never