Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija
Local / Original ID Number
Professional Library of Idrija Municipal Museum, M-102‒M-105.
Type of Object
Mine, Knowledge, social care
Description
Short description
The book Oryctographia Carniolica oder Physikalische Erdbeschreibung des Herzogthums Krain, Istrien und zum Thiel der benachtbarten Länder is written in German and has a Slovenian dedication. The work was published in four volumes. The first one has 162, the second 186, the third 184 and the fourth 91 pages. The work also contains sketches. The sketches at the end of the second book present the image of Idrija and the Mercury Mine at the end of the 18th century: sections of the tunnels in Idrija Mine, Attems’ decline in the Anthony's Shaft, Idrija Water Barriers (Jožef Mrak, 1773), smelting furnaces.
Measures
Length 24 cm, width 21 cm, height 1.6–3 cm.
Materials
Paper, cardboard.
Dating
1778; 1781; 1784; 1789.
Author / Producer
Baltazar Hacquet
Picture attachments
Original use
The work contains a geological study of Carniola and Istria and surrounding districts. The second part of the books presents the operation of the Idrija Mercury Mine. The author described Idrija miners as the best ones in the Monarchy, since they were not only excavators but also carpenters, masons and others. In his opinion, work in the pit was especially dangerous in places where mercury penetrated through the shale. The pit had a specially arched Joseph’s Shaft, which is connected two main mine shafts and provided better ventilation. The book also contains a comprehensive description of the smelting process, for which the author affirms that it is not overly harmful if the worker does not stay in the chamber for a longer period of time and washes himself thoroughly after work. Hacquet (1739–1815), was the second world famous biologist, who worked in Idrija (1766–1773), since he succeeded Giovanni Antonio Scopoli (1754–1769).
Present use
The book is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is kept in the collection of library material (in analogue and digital form). It is stored in the vault, since it is unique material.
Original location
Leipzig, Johann Gottlob Immanuel Breitkopf.
Present location
Professional Library of Idrija Municipal Museum.
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is ensured.
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 library.