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Glass and Alchemy in Early Modern Europe: An Analytical Study of Glassware from the Oberstockstall Laboratory in Austria
Author(s) -
Veronesi Umberto,
MartinónTorres Marcos
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201712523
Subject(s) - alchemy , imitation , assemblage (archaeology) , distillation , archaeological science , nanotechnology , chemistry , archaeology , art history , art , history , materials science , organic chemistry , psychology , social psychology
Glass distillation equipment from an early modern alchemical laboratory was analyzed for its technology of manufacture and potential origin. Chemical data show that the assemblage can be divided into sodium‐rich, colorless distillation vessels made with glass from Venice or its European imitation, and potassium‐rich dark‐brown non‐specialized forms produced within the technological tradition of forest glass typical for central and north‐western Europe. These results complete our understanding of the supply of technical apparatus at one of the best‐preserved alchemical laboratories and highlight an early awareness of the need for high‐quality instruments to guarantee the successful outcome of specialized chemical operations. This study demonstrates the potential of archaeological science to inform historical research around the practice of early chemistry and the development of modern science.