About this jug
Location:
Silver Carn, Isles of Scilly
United Kingdom
Long/Lat:
49.8721, -6.4023
Notes: Late January or early February 1686, a large Dutch East Indiaman, PRINSES MARIA, 1,100 tons, from Texel to Batavia, with many wealthy merchants and a large quantity of silver bullion, foundered near Silver Carn, one of the Western Rocks. There were no survivors. The wreck was found in 1973. Extensive air-lifting of sand revealed ship's timbers and a number of artefacts, as well as a considerable quantity of silver 8, 4 and 2 reale coins. Apart from silver reales 20 kilograms of mercury were also found (a contemporary treatment for syphilis). In the 17th century, mercury was used to remove hair from hides and in the processing of silver and gold. For the latter purpose, mercury mined in Central Europe was shipped to the East. Mercury was used to refine gold and to apply a gold-plated layer to silver. The Deutz family of Amsterdam held a monopoly on the mercury trade and became immensely wealthy.
Height: 285.00
Max-width: 180.00
Feature description: A Bartmann jug with a single large medallion depicting a standing lion. The jug was filled with mercury and sealed with a cork.
Identifier: KA 15180
Custody: Museum
Custody Data: Amsterdam Museum
