Piece of a litharge cake

Date Added: 23 June 2009 Year: 1890 Institution Name: dnhhl Cat No: ◀ | 2009_046_05 | ▶ Picture No: 7697

To separate silver from base metals the cupellation process was used. This involved melting the silver alloy with added lead and oxidising the melt. Cupellation could also be used to test the purity of silver. Shallow dishes (cupels) were for small scale cupellation and assaying but large scale cupellation took place in hearths. Litharge cakes were formed during large scale cupellation. The sample piece has a relatively smooth convex shape with the inner side having a rough cast appearance. It was found at the waterline of Dornoch Firth below Dun Creich.

Dimensions: Length117 mm depth 58 mm thickness 25 mm

2 Comments

About the only example of a "litharge cake", the "most common archaeological evidence of cupellation in the Early Bronze Age" that is easily found in the net.
Can I use this picture in my next "Hyperscript"?
Thanks

Comment left on 04 July 2013 at 14:12 by Prof. Helmut FÃ¶ll, University Kiel, Germany You are welcome to use this picture for your 'Hyperscript' but we would be grateful if you would acknowledge Historylinks Museum as the source Administrator

Hello
Can you say more about this object? Is it in a museum? The photograph makes me think it is metallic lead rather than litharge

Comment left on 07 May 2021 at 08:20 by David Dungworth This object was a gift from an unknown donor and we have no further information I am afraid. However, I will make some enquiries and let you know the outcome. Administrator

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