New article on medieval cauldrons

Jacob · Post by **Jacob** » Sat Nov 01, 2003 4:38 pm

I've recently been doing some research on cauldrons. I know how hard it is to make a helmet, and that cast iron wasn't used until the renaissance, so where did all of these large pots come from?

Here's what I've found out so far. Any comments are welcome.

Cauldrons and the Development of Cast Iron for Domestic Use: http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jselmer/cauldrons.htm

Jacob

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SCA: Edric of Scardeburg
http://filebox.vt.edu/users/jselmer/

"Those who look upon a collection of Ancient Armour as a mere assemblage of curiosities have formed a very inadequate idea of its purpose and usefulness."
J. Hewitt
Catalogue of the Tower Armouries, 1859

Jacob · Post by **Jacob** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 8:50 pm

The article, by the way, was written as a report for school. I had to fit it into the constraints of the assignment but it's been added to since. I'll add to it as I gather more information and as time allows. So I'm still on the lookout for good references.

Jacob

Jeff J · Post by **Jeff J** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 9:32 pm

Ditto from other board: Lotta Cast bronze.

Jacob · Post by **Jacob** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:35 pm

Thanks Jeff. It seems like the majority was probably bronze. The number that seem to be iron is suprising, though. For example, the large cauldron in the Maciejowski bible is painted black.

Rev. George · Post by **Rev. George** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 11:46 pm

could be soot stained. even in the illiad they talk about brass tripods being blackend by the fire. (one of the bribes sent to acchiles included a gaggle of lesbians (as in from lesbos) and Several brass tripod, unblackened by flame))

-+G

Jacob · Post by **Jacob** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 12:29 am

Hi Rev.

I've wondered that too. It may be that many of the black pots and cauldrons are copper alloys. Another picture to look at is "The Forge of Vulcan" by Breughel and Balen (c. 1620) It shows a number of pots scattered about. Some of them are obviously copper alloys, some of those are black on the outside and polished on the inside, and there is at least one tipped up on its side showing that it is entirely blackened and probably iron. Others are not as clear. It's an interesting picture, even though it's later than most of the others.

Steve S. · Post by **Steve S.** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 11:50 am

Is there a place to purchase food-safe bronze cauldrons today?

Steve

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Forth Armoury
Highly authentic, affordable riveted maille.