1408
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTIVE AND ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE.
heraldic coats of arms” exhibit, in parts, examples ofthe greatest difficulties which can present themselves:these consist of a series of under-cuttings or overlayingprojections, the copying of which is attended with verygreat difficulty, and by making the moulds in severalparts (in technical language “ false coring”), the sandselected is free, yet adhesive, may be cut into slices, andyet adhere together. The consistency which the sandattains when beaten into the casting-box or flask can onlylie understood by those who have witnessed the operationof moulding; the workman fearlessly turning the mould inall directions, and yet the convex portions of the mostdelicate projection does not separate, provided the sand isof a proper kind, and well mixed. Some castings requirehundreds of cores, and not unfrcquently days are spent inmaking the mould. Iron flows with the most perfectfluidity into the most minute apertures. Chains madeof this material, and cast about live feet in length, con-sisting of nearly 200 links, have been found to weigh notmore than If ounces. Tripoli has been recommended asbeing admirably fitted for iroulding smali delicate objects.Iron-melting may he effected by an ordinary brass-founder’s furnace, or what is called a cupola, viz., a largeand peculiarly-constructed furnace, into which a blast ofair, propelled by fanners, is employed to increase the in-tensity of the heat. Cokes are used as fuel. The metalas it melts collects in a receptacle at the bottom of thefurnace, which is tapped and received in double-handedladles, by which it is conveyed and poured into aperturesof the flasks, or where the article is large the stream ofmolten iron is directed at once into the mould.
Falkirk and the surrounding country has long beencelebrated for the excellence of the iron castings pro-duced there, more particularly for those of large size.In this district the hot-blast of Neilson was first introducedwith most complete success.—W. C. A.]
Class XXIII.
PRECIOUS METALS, &c.
1 Elkington, Mason, & Co., Newhnll Street, Birmingham ,20 & 22 liegent Street, and 45 Moorgate Street,London —Inventors, Patentees, Proprietors, andManufacturers.
Vase , intended to represent the triumph of science andthe industrial arts in the Exhibition. The style is richElizabethan. The four statuettes on the body of thevase are Sir Isaac Newton , Lord liaeon, Shakspeare,and Watt, representing Astronomy, Philosophy, Poetry,and Mechanics. On the four bas-reliefs, between thefigures, the practical operations of Science and Art aredisplayed, and their influences typified by the figures onthe base, representing War, Rebellion, Hatred , andRevenge , overthrown and chained. The recognition andthe reward of these ennobling pursuits are symbolised bythe figure of Ilis Royal Highness Prince Albert, on theapex, who, as originator and patron of the Exhibition, isawarding the palm of honour to successful industry.
Height of vase, four feet; designed and modelled byWilliam Reattie.—Plate 394.
The hours’ clock-case in electric-bronze, designed andmodelled by John Hell. The object of this specimen ofmetal work has been to apply a purely sculpturesquecomposition to the purpose of a clock-case.
The hours’ circle round the dial, day and night below,together with a representation of rocks and sea, and apierced ornamentation, emblematical of twilight, supportthe composition, which is surrounded above with the veil ofheaven set with stars. The enamelled dial represents the
sun, its centre a flying phoenix, which, the fable relates,is born anew every five hundred years. The body of thecomposition, thus representing Time , is surmounted by afigure of the Soul, superior to Time , personified by aPsyche flying upwards.—Plate 390.
Silver gilt tankard, designed by Jeannest.
Silver salt-cellar, “ Louis Quatorze,” by Jeannest.
Vase in oxidized silver, a reproduction from the original,discovered at Monte Cognuolo, near the ancient Canu-viuno, on the site of the Villa of Antonins Pius, in thecollection of the Hritish Museum.
Ink-stand, gilt and oxidized silver, “Slaughter of thechildren of Niobe .”—Plate 397.
Centre-piece in electro-plate, which may be used as anepergne or candelabrum ; cupids swinging.
Grecian wine-cooler and claret jug, after tbe antique.
Flower vases, sea-horses, glass shell, aquatic birds, &e.
Chamber candlesticks, lotus leaves.—Plate 393.
Tea service, kettle, stand, and tea-tray, richly engravedstyle Arabesque.—Pp. 071, 072.—Plate 395.
[Among the many branches of industry represented inthe Great Exhibition , there was probably none whichexcited greater interest in the man of science and themanufacturer, and certainly none which showed a morerapid and striking improvement, than the results of theart of electro-metallurgy as displayed in the electro-platedgoods of the present exhibitors. Ten years have scarcelyelapsed since small objects, coated and produced by theaid of electricity, were shown as curiosities, and itsapplication to useful purposes was then considered bymany as problematical. Fortunately', however, for scienceand the arts, it was determined to show that in the appli-cation of this subtle and mysterious power for reproduc-tive purposes, lay one of the most powerful agents forthe promotion and dissemination of a love of the fine arts,and in some instances for the multiplication of the com-forts and luxuries of domestic life. It would have beensomewhat extraordinary, if such a process, threateningas it did a revolution in the art of working in the finermetals, had escaped opposition; and it would haveafforded an extraordinary contrast to the treatment towhich originators or inventors of any new principles anddiscoveries are generally subjected, if much vexation anddisappointment had not been at first endured. The ob-jections of manufacturers to the use of the apparentlymore difficult process of employing hard and white metalin place of soft and yielding copper, of hard instead ofsoft solder, that the metal would peel off, that plainsurfaces could not be produced, that raised edges andornaments would not stand the wear:—all these variousobjections which the manufacturers of the old plated warescould urge, and the difficulties which retailers threw inthe way of disposing of electro-plated goods, have inthe end been entirely removed.
Considerable additions have been made recently tothese works: though commenced within the last fe"'years, they already employ seven hundred work-people.The works are divided into two branches—one for themanufacture of plated and gilt articles generally, in-cluding the working of the patent processes ; and theother for the more especial production of articles of 11higher and more recherehfi character, such as reproduc-tions from the antique, copies of celebrated articles ofvirtu, bronzes, &c.
A third brunch has been added for the manufacture offorks and spoons by a patent process, which employs #great number of hands, the machinery being so perfectthat several hundred dozens can be produced in one day-A piece of metal placed in one portion of the machine,having undergone various opera : ous, appears attheothet