Name 1
THE BOTTLE OF MERCURY CHLORIDE - SUBLIMATE 1
Name 2
/
ID number
002.409.Idrija
Manager / Administrator
Idrija Mercury Heritage Management Center, Bazoviška 2, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Republic of Slovenia
Local / Original ID Number
/
Type of Object
Daily life
Description
Short description
The big brown bottle contains mercury chloride - HgCl2 - sublimate. On the front, the bottle has a black label with a content declaration, manufacture date, weight of the content, and the manufacturer’s name. It is closed with a plastic black plug, which has a ribbed surface for easier opening.
Measures
Length 7 cm, diameter 4 cm.
Materials
Mercury-chromium, glass, cork.
Dating
1970s.
Author / Producer
Riedel-de Haën AG, Hannover, Germany.
Picture attachments
Original use
Mercury chloride - sublimate is extremely poisonous compound, which can cause death, if ingested even in the smallest quantities (0.2 to 0.3 g). The mercury chloride sublimate was used for different purposes. In the late Middle Ages it was used to treat syphilis and serious bacterial infections. When the antibiotics were invented, such treatment was discontinued. It was also used for photography purposes and as a protection against parasites and fungicides. In Idrija, the sublimate was produced in two periods: from 1796 to 1824 and from 1959 to 1964. After that, it was mainly processed into other mercury compounds, especially in organic ones.
Present use
The bottle with mercury sublimate is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is a part of the CUDHg Smelting Collection. It is stored at the depot of the Hg Smelting Plant. It can be used for temporary exhibitions and promotion of Mercury heritage.
Original location
Location information is not known.
Present location
Depot of the Hg Smelting plant (From Ore to Mercury Drops), Arkova 50, SI-5280 Idrija.
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
The bottle with mercury sublimate is well preserved. Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premise is taken care off.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- CUDHg Inventory Book.
Submitted
Mestni muzej Idrija
Submitted by
Miha Kosmač
Date Submitted
17. 3. 2018
Date Edited
Never