Ercker Collection

Distillation of Nitric Acid. Also known as Aqua Fortis or Parting Acid, nitric acid was widely used in the refining
540742 Distillation of Nitric Acid. Also known as Aqua Fortis or Parting Acid, nitric acid was widely used in the refining and assaying of metals

Production of Salpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03). Nitre beds, heaps of manure mixed with chalky earth
540747 Production of Salpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03). Nitre beds, heaps of manure mixed with chalky earth. These were watered with urine and manure water

Assayer testing samples of gold or silver using a balance, 1574 (engraving)
539689 Assayer testing samples of gold or silver using a balance, 1574 (engraving); (add.info.: From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt und Berckwercksarten)

Blast furnaces, 1580 (engraving)
534630 Blast furnaces, 1580 (engraving); (add.info.: Blast furnaces. From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertszt of 1580. Copperplate engraving)

Preparation of copper and silver to be alloyed for production of coins, 16th century (engraving)
539915 Preparation of copper and silver to be alloyed for production of coins, 16th century (engraving); (add.info.: Preparation of copper and silver to be alloyed for production of coins)

Refining copper by Hungarian process, 1580 (engraving)
534632 Refining copper by Hungarian process, 1580 (engraving); (add.info.: Refining copper by Hungarian process. Cupellation cakes roasted, releasing heat. At 5: lead obtained being smelted)

Smelting of copper: making liquation cakes by reducing copper in furnaces and alloying with lead
531538 Smelting of copper: making liquation cakes by reducing copper in furnaces and alloying with lead. 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt und

Crystallization of Saltpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03, 1574 (engraving)
540753 Crystallization of Saltpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03, 1574 (engraving); (add.info.: Crystallization of Saltpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03)

Laboratory for refining gold and silver, showing typical laboratory equipment
540745 Laboratory for refining gold and silver, showing typical laboratory equipment. 1, Athanor or Slow Harry, a self-feeding furnace maintaining a constant temperature. 2, 2

Washing ore to extract gold, 16th century (engraving)
540732 Washing ore to extract gold, 16th century (engraving); (add.info.: Water is fed into a sieve containing crushed ore)

Checking the quality of Saltpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03). Saltpetre is the principal ingredient in
540750 Checking the quality of Saltpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03). Saltpetre is the principal ingredient in gunpowder, and is still used in the preservation of some foods

Washing ore to extract gold. Water is fed into a sieve containing crushed ore. Solution containing ore in suspension is fed along collecting pans, often lined with dark woollen cloth

Preparation of copper and silver to be alloyed for production of coins, 1683. Copper is melted (1) while an apprentice (9) soaks birch twigs in water

Crystallization of saltpetre (nitre, potassium nitrate, or KN03), 1683. Saltpetre is the principal ingredient in gunpowder, and is still used in the preservation of some foods

Checking the quality of saltpetre (nitre, potassium nitrate, or KN03), 1683. Saltpetre is the principal ingredient in gunpowder, and is still used in the preservation of some foods

Laboratory for refining gold and silver, showing typical laboratory equipment, 1683. 1) Athanor or Slow Harry, a self-feeding furnace maintaining a constant temperature

Production of saltpetre (nitre, potassium nitrate, or KN03), 1683. Nitre beds, heaps of manure mixed with chalky earth. These were watered with urine and manure water

Distillation of Nitric Acid, 1683. Also known as Aqua Fortis or Parting Acid, nitric acid was widely used in the refining and assaying of metals

Athanor or Slow Harry, a self-feeding furnace maintaining a constant temperature, 1683. Centre: 1) Athanor or Slow Harry ; 2) side chambers containing reagents; 3) glass receivers

Furnace for processes where protracted heat required, such as cementation, 1580
Furnace for processes where protracted heat required, such as cementation, 1683. This furnace is gravity-fed and self-stoking

Washing ore to extract gold, 1683. Water is fed into a sieve containing crushed ore. The solution containing ore in suspension is fed along collecting pans, often lined with dark woollen cloth

Assayer testing samples of gold or silver using a balance, 1683. Artist: Lazarus Ercker
Assayer testing samples of gold or silver using a balance, 1683. From English edition of Lazarus Ercker Allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt und Berckwercksarten, originally published in Prague, 1574

Smelting of copper, 1683
Smelting of copper: making liquation cakes by reducing copper in furnaces and alloying with lead, 1683. From an English edition of German metallurgist Lazarus Erckers Beschreibung allerfurnemisten

Assayer testing samples of gold and silver, 1683. Copperplate engraving from the 1683 English edition of Beschreibung Allerfurnemisten Mineralischen Ertzt (Treatise on Ores and Asssaying)

Refining copper using the Hungarian process, 1683. Copperplate engraving showing cupellation cakes being roasted, releasing lead. The lead obtained is smelted at top left

Blast furnaces, 1683. Illustration from the 1683 English edition of Beschreibung Allerfurnemisten Mineralischen Ertzt (Treatise on Ores and Asssaying), by Lazarus Ercker, published in 1580

Blast furnaces. From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertszt of 1580. Copperplate engraving

Refining copper by Hungarian process. Cupellation cakes roasted, releasing heat. At 5: lead obtained being smelted. From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten

Assayer testing samples of gold and silver. From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertszt of 1580. Copperplate engraving

Preparation of copper and silver to be alloyed for production of coins. Copper melted (1) while apprentice (9) soaks birch twigs in water. When copper poured on twigs it forms grains

Athanor or Slow Harry, a self-feeding furnace maintaining a constant temperature. Centre: 1) Athanor or Slow Harry : 2) side chambers containing reagents: 3) glass receivers

Crystallization of Saltpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03. Saltpetre is the principal ingredient in gunpowder, and is still used in the preservation of some foods)

Furnace for processes where protracted heat required, such as cementation. This furnace is gravity-fed and self-stoking. From 1683 English edition of Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen

Distillation of Nitric Acid. Also known as Aqua Fortis or Parting Acid, nitric acid was widely used in the refining and assaying of metals

Production of Salpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03). Nitre beds, heaps of manure mixed with chalky earth. These were watered with urine and manure water

Checking the quality of Saltpetre (Nitre, Potassium Nitrate, or KN03). Saltpetre is the principal ingredient in gunpowder, and is still used in the preservation of some foods

Laboratory for refining gold and silver, showing typical laboratory equipment. 1, Athanor or Slow Harry, a self-feeding furnace maintaining a constant temperature. 2, 2

Washing ore to extract gold. Water fed into sieve (2) containing ore. Muddy solution fed along wooden collecting troughs, often lined with dark woollen cloth: gold separated out on the way

Assay laboratory for gold and silver. 1) Furnace: 2) Sheet of iron onto which assays are poured: 3) Parting flask: 5) Assay by water displacement

Purification of silver in a muffle furnace. From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt- und Berckwercksarten originally published in Prague in 1574

Refining gold: furnaces, 2, 2, and operator, 9. The man near 4 is gradually heating a crucible surrounded by a ring of burning coals: to increase the heat coals were be raked into a smaller circle

Assay laboratory with various forms of furnace including and athanor or Slow Harry, 7, self-stoking furnace for cementation, 9, and barrel-shaped furnace, 3

Roasting gold ore in order to recover the precious metal. From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt- und Berckwercksarten originally published in

Assaying of silver: 1&3, moulds for making cupels: 2&4, the cupels: 8, man moulding cupels. From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt- und

Refining of silver, showing (2) a test put into the furnace and (3) burning the silver in a test. A test warming (8) and a roaster for making burnt silver dry (9)

Assaying copper: Furnaces (1, 4), ore (3), bellows (5), and aeolipile (6) to supply draught to furnaces. Pot in which flux is prepared (8)

Recovery of gold from amalgum. 7) chamois leather bag for separating amalgum from excess mercury. 6) Operator with wooden pestel and mortar for purifying mercury with salt

Assaying copper and lead: prepared and weighed ore (1) and assay oven (2). From 1683 English edition of Lazarus Ercker Beschreibung allerfurnemisten mineralischen Ertzt- und Berckwercksarten

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In the year 1683, Lazarus Ercker took us on a captivating journey through the intricate world of metal production and refinement. His meticulous attention to detail is evident in his depictions of various processes that were essential for creating coins and other valuable items. One such process involved the preparation of copper and silver alloys, which served as the foundation for coin production. Ercker's illustrations showcase skilled craftsmen carefully measuring and combining these metals, ensuring their composition was perfect. Another fascinating aspect captured by the crystallization of saltpetre or potassium nitrate. This vital substance was used in various applications, including gunpowder production. Through his artistry, we witness scientists observing its quality with great precision, guaranteeing its effectiveness. It also takes us into a laboratory dedicated to refining gold and silver. The scene reveals an array of sophisticated equipment meticulously arranged to carry out this delicate task, and is here that precious metals are purified to achieve their utmost brilliance before being transformed into exquisite objects. The artist further enlightens us about the production of saltpetre itself - a complex procedure involving careful chemical reactions and precise measurements. These insights shed light on how crucial this compound was during that era. Amongst Ercker's illustrations lies a depiction of distillation - specifically showcasing the process of obtaining nitric acid from raw materials. This technique required skillful manipulation of heat and condensation to extract this powerful substance successfully. An intriguing invention showcased by Ercker is an Athanor or Slow Harry furnace - an ingenious self-feeding contraption designed to maintain a constant temperature over extended periods. Such furnaces played pivotal roles in processes like cementation where protracted heat was necessary for desired outcomes. It also introduces us to another type of furnace used in ore extraction: one requiring prolonged heating known as cementation furnace dating back even earlier than his time period (1580). This method allowed miners to wash ores meticulously, extracting precious gold particles hidden within.