002.282.Idrija

Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Center, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija

Public

Republic of Slovenia

/

Mine, 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 44 cm.

Oak wood, cast iron, steel.

1960s

Idrija Mercury Mine

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 CUDHg Smelting Collection. Visitors can view it within the permanent museum exhibition “From Ore to Mercury Drops” in the renovated venue of the Hg Smelting Plant. The path of the ore excavated in the Idrija Mine is presented from the transport station at Joseph’s shaft to the sorting, crushing and burning devices in the Smelting Plant. The development of the burning furnaces throughout the centuries is presented, which revives the memory of the 500 years of hard work of Idrian smelters, who were improving the methods of ore smelting from generation to generation. The vice is a part of the presentation that presents the method of mercury storage and transporting.

The Smelting Plant of the Idrija Mercury Mine.

Hg Smelting Plant (From Ore to Mercury Drops), Arkova 50, SI-5280 Idrija.

The vice is well preserved. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is taken care of.

good

Regular seasonal maintenance.

- CUDHg Inventory Book.

Mestni muzej Idrija

Miha Kosmač

12. 3. 2018

Never