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-295
Type of Object
Smelting
Description
Short description
A set of weights is in a plastic box: 200g (1 piece), 100g (2 pieces), 50g (1 piece), 20g (1 piece), 10g (1 piece), 5g (1 piece). One 10g weight is missing. The box has the manufacturer’s inscription: Tehtnica Železniki GU-495, "uteži točnostnega razreda M2" (weights of the accuracy class M2).
Measures
Length 10 cm, width 6.3 cm, height 5.2 cm.
Materials
Plastics, steel.
Dating
The time of creation is unknown.
Author / Producer
Manufacturer information is not known.
Picture attachments
Original use
The described weights were one of the devices in Eschka’s analysis of mercury in cinnabar ores in the laboratory of the Idrija Mercury Mine. That analysis was especially useful for the analysis of low-quality ores. In 1872, the Czech mining engineer Adalbert Eschka introduced a simple analytical procedure with golden caps. The new method enables very simple and quick analysis of the mercury share in the ore and other solids and consequently also very effective process monitoring of obtaining and smelting the ore. Idria Mine set the chemistry laboratory on the spot where cinnabar factory (or “cinobrfabrka”) once stood.
Present use
The described weights set 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.