Name 1
LABORATORY OVEN
Name 2
/
ID number
002.311.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-288
Type of Object
Mine, Smelting

Description

Short description
The oven was round and composed of two parts. Top part serves for insertion of samples. The oven is closed with the cover on top. There is a heating board or a heater on the bottom. There is an electrical connector at the bottom part of the covering. The bottom part of the housing is made of steel sheet metal, thus the interior is made of fireclay.
Measures
Oven: Length 26.5 cm, width 22.3 cm, height 24.5 cm; cover: diameter 22.3 cm, height 4.6 cm.
Materials
Steel, fireclay.
Dating
The time of creation is unknown.
Author / Producer
Manufacturer information is not known.
Picture attachments
Original use
The described oven was used in the laboratory of Idrija Mercury Mine for annealing samples during various analysis. The main tasks of the mining laboratory were sampling and analysis of ore which was brought to the Smelting Plant (for each type of ore and for each furnace separately) and burning residues from under the furnaces. When required, various other materials, as well as ore samples, had to be analysed for the needs of geological surveys in the pit. The laboratory and semi-industrial experiments for need of mercury processing into its compounds (mercury chloride or sublimate and red mercury oxide for batteries) were also common.
Present use
The laboratory oven is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the mining collection of the Idrija Municipal Museum. It is located in the depot and can be used for temporary museum exhibitions. It can also be used for different types of mercury heritage promotions.
Original location
Laboratory of the Idrija Mercury Mine.
Present location
Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 2 depot.

STATE OF CONSERVATION

History of conservation:
The object is properly preserved. 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;
- Kavčič, Ivica. Živo srebro: Zgodovina idrijskega žgalništva. Založba Bogataj, Idrija, 2008.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
13. 3. 2018
Date Edited
Never