Tripod Crucible
Production date
Circa 1900
Country
Australia
State/Province
Queensland
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Object detail
Description
Tripod crucible or melting pot. The rounded bowl is made of a copper-based alloy and is riveted onto ferrous metal legs and handle. The front two legs are narrow straps of metal, held in place by two rivets at the top, and curling upward at the bottom to form feet. Both are quite badly corroded.
The rear leg and handle form a singe unit, joined to the bowl by a broad escutcheon riveted in three places. The handle is at the top of the escutcheon (perpendicular to the body of the pot), and consists of a short, hollow, rolled cone of metal into which a metal or wooden rod could be inserted to extend the handle length. A small hole on the top of the handle would allow the rod to be secured in place. The rear foot extends from the base of the escutcheon and, like the other legs, curls at the end to form a foot. The rear foot/handle are less corroded than the front legs.
The rear leg and handle form a singe unit, joined to the bowl by a broad escutcheon riveted in three places. The handle is at the top of the escutcheon (perpendicular to the body of the pot), and consists of a short, hollow, rolled cone of metal into which a metal or wooden rod could be inserted to extend the handle length. A small hole on the top of the handle would allow the rod to be secured in place. The rear foot extends from the base of the escutcheon and, like the other legs, curls at the end to form a foot. The rear foot/handle are less corroded than the front legs.
Classification
SCIENCES General crucible
RURAL INDUSTRY
RURAL INDUSTRY
Production date
Circa 1900
Measurements
L210 x W115 x Circ120 mm
Media/Materials description
Copper, wrought iron
History and use
This tripod crucible or melting pot was owned by the Rungert family who were pioneers and farmers of the Mooloolah area on the Sunshine Coast. Quite roughly made, the pot may be the result of workshop or blacksmith, rather than industrial, production.
The Queensland Museum has a large collection of late 19th century tools and of crucibles, but none of this type. As such, this pot complements and augments one of the museums major collecting focuses.
The provenance and associations of the pot also tie it to several aspects of Queensland's history; as the possession of the Rungert family, it is illustrative of rural technologies in general, and of those of South East Queensland's early pioneers in particular.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
The Queensland Museum has a large collection of late 19th century tools and of crucibles, but none of this type. As such, this pot complements and augments one of the museums major collecting focuses.
The provenance and associations of the pot also tie it to several aspects of Queensland's history; as the possession of the Rungert family, it is illustrative of rural technologies in general, and of those of South East Queensland's early pioneers in particular.
Uploaded to the Web 27 May 2011.
Associated person
Registration number
H47649