„Ercker’s“ Cupels – Preparation, Use and Analysis

Michaela Kovářová, Martin Bartoš

Archeologia technica, vol. 28 (2017)
Pages: 36–43
Language: Czech
Type of article: scientific article
DOI: n/a

Abstract:
Cupel is a special vessel, which is used for cupellation – the last step of determination of precious metals in ores or alloys. In Early Modern Age cupels were made of bone ash and wood ash mixture. The goal of this paper was the manufacturing of cupels according to Ercker’s recipe. These cupels were tested and also analyzed. Figures of ashes, cross-sections of cupels and silver grains were acquired by electron microscopy. Elemental composition of ashes used to cupels manufacturing was determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The strength of dried and annealed cupels was also tested.