The evolution of reverberatory cupellation furnaces in the southwest of late imperial China
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Published
Sep 15, 2021
Abstract
The dome-shaped reverberatory cupellation furnace that is well-documented for SW China for the 19th century is surprisingly similar in shape and size to the silver separation furnace used in central Europe from the late medieval into the industrial period. At the same time, silver separation in East Asia was thought to have remained at the stage of small open hearths; these have been recorded for medieval China, mentioned in Korea in the 15th century and were common in Japan down to the late 19th century. The present research traces the evolution of the reverberatory furnace of SW China backwards through time, outlining the transformation from a process that relied on strong ventilation and the absorption of lead oxide into the ash lining, towards a larger-scale process that employed a continuous draught created by high temperatures in the upper part of the chamber, slow oxidation, and removal of much of the lead by tapping it as liquid lead oxide.
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References
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Gowland W 1915, ‘Metals and metal-working in old Japan’, Transactions of the Japan Society, London, 1-99.
Han R 韩汝玢 and Ke J 柯俊 (eds) 2007, Zhongguo kexue jishushi: kuangye juan 中国科学技术史·矿冶卷 [History of Chinese science and technology: mining and melting] (Beijing).
Hillman A L, Abbott M B, Yu J, Bain D J and Chiou-Peng T 2015, ‘Environmental legacy of copper metallurgy and Mongol silver smelting recorded in Yunnan lake sediments’, Environmental Science and Technology 49(6), 3349–3357.
Hong Z 洪咨夔 13th century, ‘Daye fu’ 大冶賦 [The great smelting], in Pingzhai wenji 平齋文集 [Collection of Hong Zikui’s works] reprinted 1934 (Shanghai).
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Joseon wangjo sillok 朝鮮王朝實錄 [Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392-1863]. digitized edition 1997 (Seoul).
Kim N and Yang Y forthcoming, ‘The Jinniu mines and the confusions of Qing sources on silver mining’, Artefact: Techniques, histoire et sciences humaines 8.
Kim N forthcoming, ‘Silver mines and mobile miners in the southwestern borderlands of the Qing empire’, Journal of the Social and Economic History of the Orient.
Kobata A 1965, ‘The production and uses of gold and silver in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Japan’, Economic History Review ns 18(2), 245–266.
Li L M and T G Rawski eds 1992, Chinese history in economic perspective (Berkeley).
Liu P 刘培峰 2014, Shanxi chuantong ganguo liantie jishu yanjiu 山西传统坩埚炼铁技术研究 [Traditional crucible iron-smelting technology in Shanxi province], unpublished PhD thesis, University of Science and Technology, Beijing.
Liu P 刘培峰, Li Y, and Qian W 2015, ‘Chuantong yetie gufengqi mushan de diaocha yu yanjiu’ 传统冶铁鼓风器木扇的调查 与研究 [Investigations of wooden flap-bellows as a traditional ventilation technology in iron smelting], Ziran bianzhengfa tongxun 229, 8–13.
Liu S 刘思然, 2015, Gold and silver production in imperial China: Technological choices in their social-economic and environmental settings, unpublished PhD thesis, University College London, London.
Lu R 陸容 1985, Shuyuan zaji 菽園雜記 [Miscellaneous notes by Lu Rong], reprint (Beijing).
Luo Y 羅仰錡 (comp) 1746, Ejiazhi shucao ben 崿嘉志書草本 [Manuscript draft of Ejia gazetteer] reprint 2014 (Chuxiong).
Meyer H J 1908-09, Meyers grosses Konversations-Lexikon: ein Nachschlagewerk des allgemeinen Wissens 6 edn (Leipzig).
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Prowse G W T 1891, Report on the north-east position of North Theinni State, mines at Bawdwingyi, and the Taungbain State, 1890-91 (Rangoon).
Qin G 秦光玉 (comp) 1949, Xinzuan yunnan tongzhi 新纂雲南通 志 [Newly-compiled gazetteer of Yunnan] (Kunming).
Rocher É 1879, La province chinoise du Yün-nan, 2 vols (Paris).
Schnabel C 1894, Handbuch der Metallhüttenkunde, vol 1 (Berlin).
Song G 宋赓平 1902, Kuangxue xinyao xinbian 礦學心要新編 [New edition of the essentials of mining] (Chengdu).
Song Y 宋應星 1978, Tiangong kaiwu 天工開物 [Exploitation of the works of nature] (Beijing).
Suhling L 1983, Aufschließen, Gewinnen, Fördern. Geschichte des Bergbaus (Rowohlt).
Tang S 唐慎微 (comp) 13th century, Chongxiu zhenghe jingshi zhenglei beiyong bencao 重修政和經史証類備用本草 [New revised and categorised compilation of pharmacopoeias of the Zhenghe and Jingshi periods].
Todd H 1998, ‘The British Library’s Sado mining scrolls’, British Library Journal 24(1), 130–143.
Wang G 王国栋 (comp) 1922, Mochu xiandizhi 摩芻縣地志 [Gazetteer of Mochu county], reprint 2014 (Chuxiong).
Wang L 王菱菱 2001, ‘Mingdai lu rong shujuan zaji suoyin longquan xianzhi de zuozhe shidai: jianlun songdai tongkuang de kaicai yelian jishu’ 明代陆容《菽园杂记》所引《龙泉县志》的作 者及时代——兼论宋代铜矿的开采冶炼技术 [Author and date of the ‘Longquan District Gazetteer’ excerpted in Lu Rong’s ‘Shuyuan zaji’: discussion of copper mining and smelting technologies in the Song period], Zhongguo jingjishi yanjiu 4, 97–101.
Woo Y 1903, ‘Silver mining and smelting in Mongolia’ Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers 33, 755-760.
Wu Q 1844, Diannan kuangchan tulüe 滇南矿厂图略 [An overview of minerals in Yunnan], reprint 2002 (Shanghai: Xuxiu siku quanshu vol 880).
Yamaguchi Y 1912, Diaocha dongchuan ge kuangshan baogaoshu 調查東川各礦山報告書 [Survey report on the mines of Dongchuan] (Kunming).
Yang Y and Kim N forthcoming, ‘Overlooked silver flows: slag dumps and outputs of silver mines in the southwestern borderlands of China, fifteenth to nineteenth centuries’, Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies (submitted 2017).
Yang Y 杨煜达 2008 ‘Qingdai zhongqi dianbian yinkuang de kuangmin jituan yu bainjiang zhixu’ 清代中期滇边银矿的矿民集团与边疆秩序：以茂隆银厂吴尚贤为中心 [Frontier order and miners’ organisations at silver mines in the Yunnan border region in the mid-Qing], Zhongguo bianjiang shidi yanjiu 2, 43–55.
Yibing 一冰 1972, ‘Tangdai yeyinshu chutan’ 唐代冶银术初探 [Preliminary exploration of silver metallurgy in the Tang period] Wenwu 6, 40-44.
Yoshida M 1959, ‘Tiangong kaiwu de yelian, zhuzao jishu’ 天工开 物的冶炼·铸造技术 [Smelting and casting technologies in the Tiangong kaiwu], in K Yabu’uchi (ed), Tiangong kaiwu yanjiu lunwenji 天工开物研究论文集 [Papers on the Tiangong kaiwu], translated from Chinese by Zhang X and Wu J (Shanghai), 150–179.
Yu S 余紹榮 (comp) 1925, Longyou xianzhi 龍游縣志 [Gazetteer of Longyou district] (Beijing).
Yu Z 余澤春 (comp) 2006, Dongchuanfu xuzhi 東川府續誌 [Updated Gazetteer of Dongchuan Prefecture], original 1897, reprinted, extended and annotated by Liang Xiaoqiang 梁晓强 (Kunming).
Zhang Z 2000, Yunnan yejinshi 云南冶金史 [History of metallurgy in Yunnan] (Kunming).
Zhao Y 12th century, Yunlu manchao 雲麓漫鈔 [Assorted drafts by Zhao Yanwei] reprint 1998 (Shenyang: Xin shiji wanyou wenku: Chuantong wenhua shuxi).
Brown J C 1917, ‘Geology and ore deposits of the Bawdwin Mines’, Records of the Geological Survey of India 48(3), 121-180.
Carré G 2013, ‘Contes d’argent et des cendres: L’argent entre Corée et Japon au XVIe siècle’, CIPANGO Cahiers d’études japonaises 17, 11-61.
Chambre de Commerce de Lyon 1898, La Mission Lyonnaise d’exploration commerciale en Chine 1895-1897. Avec cartes, plans et gravures d’après les documents rapportés par la Mission (Lyon).
Dupuis J 1877, ‘Voyage au Yunnan’, Bulletin de la Sociéte de Géographie 7, 5-57.
Fang Y 方以智 1643, Wuli xiaoshi 物理小識 [Bits of knowledge on the principles of things] in Siku quanshu [Complete collection of the four libraries] (Beijing 1773-1798).
Golas P J 1999, Science and civilisation in China. Vol 5: Chemistry and chemical technology. Part 13: Mining (Cambridge).
Gowland W 1915, ‘Metals and metal-working in old Japan’, Transactions of the Japan Society, London, 1-99.
Han R 韩汝玢 and Ke J 柯俊 (eds) 2007, Zhongguo kexue jishushi: kuangye juan 中国科学技术史·矿冶卷 [History of Chinese science and technology: mining and melting] (Beijing).
Hillman A L, Abbott M B, Yu J, Bain D J and Chiou-Peng T 2015, ‘Environmental legacy of copper metallurgy and Mongol silver smelting recorded in Yunnan lake sediments’, Environmental Science and Technology 49(6), 3349–3357.
Hong Z 洪咨夔 13th century, ‘Daye fu’ 大冶賦 [The great smelting], in Pingzhai wenji 平齋文集 [Collection of Hong Zikui’s works] reprinted 1934 (Shanghai).
Huang M 1849, Diannan shishi 滇南事實 [Factual titbits from Yunnan] (Yudetang).
Joseon wangjo sillok 朝鮮王朝實錄 [Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392-1863]. digitized edition 1997 (Seoul).
Kim N and Yang Y forthcoming, ‘The Jinniu mines and the confusions of Qing sources on silver mining’, Artefact: Techniques, histoire et sciences humaines 8.
Kim N forthcoming, ‘Silver mines and mobile miners in the southwestern borderlands of the Qing empire’, Journal of the Social and Economic History of the Orient.
Kobata A 1965, ‘The production and uses of gold and silver in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Japan’, Economic History Review ns 18(2), 245–266.
Li L M and T G Rawski eds 1992, Chinese history in economic perspective (Berkeley).
Liu P 刘培峰 2014, Shanxi chuantong ganguo liantie jishu yanjiu 山西传统坩埚炼铁技术研究 [Traditional crucible iron-smelting technology in Shanxi province], unpublished PhD thesis, University of Science and Technology, Beijing.
Liu P 刘培峰, Li Y, and Qian W 2015, ‘Chuantong yetie gufengqi mushan de diaocha yu yanjiu’ 传统冶铁鼓风器木扇的调查 与研究 [Investigations of wooden flap-bellows as a traditional ventilation technology in iron smelting], Ziran bianzhengfa tongxun 229, 8–13.
Liu S 刘思然, 2015, Gold and silver production in imperial China: Technological choices in their social-economic and environmental settings, unpublished PhD thesis, University College London, London.
Lu R 陸容 1985, Shuyuan zaji 菽園雜記 [Miscellaneous notes by Lu Rong], reprint (Beijing).
Luo Y 羅仰錡 (comp) 1746, Ejiazhi shucao ben 崿嘉志書草本 [Manuscript draft of Ejia gazetteer] reprint 2014 (Chuxiong).
Meyer H J 1908-09, Meyers grosses Konversations-Lexikon: ein Nachschlagewerk des allgemeinen Wissens 6 edn (Leipzig).
Needham J with Lu Gwei-djen 1974, Science and Civilisation in China. Vol 5: Chemistry and chemical technology. Part 2: Spagyrical discovery and invention: magisteries of gold and immortality (Cambridge).
Prowse G W T 1891, Report on the north-east position of North Theinni State, mines at Bawdwingyi, and the Taungbain State, 1890-91 (Rangoon).
Qin G 秦光玉 (comp) 1949, Xinzuan yunnan tongzhi 新纂雲南通 志 [Newly-compiled gazetteer of Yunnan] (Kunming).
Rocher É 1879, La province chinoise du Yün-nan, 2 vols (Paris).
Schnabel C 1894, Handbuch der Metallhüttenkunde, vol 1 (Berlin).
Song G 宋赓平 1902, Kuangxue xinyao xinbian 礦學心要新編 [New edition of the essentials of mining] (Chengdu).
Song Y 宋應星 1978, Tiangong kaiwu 天工開物 [Exploitation of the works of nature] (Beijing).
Suhling L 1983, Aufschließen, Gewinnen, Fördern. Geschichte des Bergbaus (Rowohlt).
Tang S 唐慎微 (comp) 13th century, Chongxiu zhenghe jingshi zhenglei beiyong bencao 重修政和經史証類備用本草 [New revised and categorised compilation of pharmacopoeias of the Zhenghe and Jingshi periods].
Todd H 1998, ‘The British Library’s Sado mining scrolls’, British Library Journal 24(1), 130–143.
Wang G 王国栋 (comp) 1922, Mochu xiandizhi 摩芻縣地志 [Gazetteer of Mochu county], reprint 2014 (Chuxiong).
Wang L 王菱菱 2001, ‘Mingdai lu rong shujuan zaji suoyin longquan xianzhi de zuozhe shidai: jianlun songdai tongkuang de kaicai yelian jishu’ 明代陆容《菽园杂记》所引《龙泉县志》的作 者及时代——兼论宋代铜矿的开采冶炼技术 [Author and date of the ‘Longquan District Gazetteer’ excerpted in Lu Rong’s ‘Shuyuan zaji’: discussion of copper mining and smelting technologies in the Song period], Zhongguo jingjishi yanjiu 4, 97–101.
Woo Y 1903, ‘Silver mining and smelting in Mongolia’ Transactions of the American Institute of Mining Engineers 33, 755-760.
Wu Q 1844, Diannan kuangchan tulüe 滇南矿厂图略 [An overview of minerals in Yunnan], reprint 2002 (Shanghai: Xuxiu siku quanshu vol 880).
Yamaguchi Y 1912, Diaocha dongchuan ge kuangshan baogaoshu 調查東川各礦山報告書 [Survey report on the mines of Dongchuan] (Kunming).
Yang Y and Kim N forthcoming, ‘Overlooked silver flows: slag dumps and outputs of silver mines in the southwestern borderlands of China, fifteenth to nineteenth centuries’, Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies (submitted 2017).
Yang Y 杨煜达 2008 ‘Qingdai zhongqi dianbian yinkuang de kuangmin jituan yu bainjiang zhixu’ 清代中期滇边银矿的矿民集团与边疆秩序：以茂隆银厂吴尚贤为中心 [Frontier order and miners’ organisations at silver mines in the Yunnan border region in the mid-Qing], Zhongguo bianjiang shidi yanjiu 2, 43–55.
Yibing 一冰 1972, ‘Tangdai yeyinshu chutan’ 唐代冶银术初探 [Preliminary exploration of silver metallurgy in the Tang period] Wenwu 6, 40-44.
Yoshida M 1959, ‘Tiangong kaiwu de yelian, zhuzao jishu’ 天工开 物的冶炼·铸造技术 [Smelting and casting technologies in the Tiangong kaiwu], in K Yabu’uchi (ed), Tiangong kaiwu yanjiu lunwenji 天工开物研究论文集 [Papers on the Tiangong kaiwu], translated from Chinese by Zhang X and Wu J (Shanghai), 150–179.
Yu S 余紹榮 (comp) 1925, Longyou xianzhi 龍游縣志 [Gazetteer of Longyou district] (Beijing).
Yu Z 余澤春 (comp) 2006, Dongchuanfu xuzhi 東川府續誌 [Updated Gazetteer of Dongchuan Prefecture], original 1897, reprinted, extended and annotated by Liang Xiaoqiang 梁晓强 (Kunming).
Zhang Z 2000, Yunnan yejinshi 云南冶金史 [History of metallurgy in Yunnan] (Kunming).
Zhao Y 12th century, Yunlu manchao 雲麓漫鈔 [Assorted drafts by Zhao Yanwei] reprint 1998 (Shenyang: Xin shiji wanyou wenku: Chuantong wenhua shuxi).
How to Cite
Kim, N., & Yuda, Y. (2021). The evolution of reverberatory cupellation furnaces in the southwest of late imperial China. Historical Metallurgy, 51(2), 71-86. https://hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/37
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How to Cite
Kim, N., & Yuda, Y. (2021). The evolution of reverberatory cupellation furnaces in the southwest of late imperial China. Historical Metallurgy, 51(2), 71-86. https://hmsjournal.org/index.php/home/article/view/37