002.281.Idrija

Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

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

510:IDR;RZ-481

Transport - other transport, Smelting

The base of the vice consists of a large trapezoidal oak log, which is reinforced with two forged rings on the bottom and on the top. The vice itself consists of a circular lever, adjustable opening and a screw shaft. Just under the adjustable opening, the opening with a diameter of a steel flask is embedded in a wooden log. For the jaw regulation, a hinge and a screw spindle (on the other side of the jaw) with a circular lever, are used. All the iron parts are fixed on the wooden part with forged spikes.

Length 54 cm, width 44 cm, height 61.5 cm.

Oak wood, cast iron.

The time of creation is unknown.

Manufacturer information is not known.

The vice was used for securing steel flask filled with mercury. First, the steel flask was filled using the measuring cylinder and the scale for weighing and filling the refined mercury. Then the filled steel flask was inserted into a special carve-out in the chopping block. It was then clamped using the hand-wheel and the jaw on the hinge, and was therefore fixed in order to prevent its spinning. A plug was screwed on with a special purpose wrench. After removing the steel flask from the vice, it was turned upside down (bottle neck facing down) and was kept in this position for one day, to check if it was sealed properly. If it was sealed properly, a seal with the sign of the Mine was fixed at the top of the bottle neck. This meant that the steel flask was ready for transport and sale.

The vise for securing steel flasks for mercury is being preserved, secured and presented as an important monument of Idrija mining heritage with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the collection called “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.

The Smelting Plant of the Idrija Mercury Mine.

Idrija Municipal Museum, Gewerkenegg Castle (showroom 9).

The described object was 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.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

12. 3. 2018

Never