Peter
Kurzmann: Ein Manuskript mit
Zeichnungen und Benennungen alchemistischer Geräte aus dem 14. Jahrhundert
Manuscript 1122 Trinity
College Cambridge was written in Latin in England in the late 13th century. Page 120verso shows drawings
with descriptions of alchemistic vessels and apparatus. These descriptions have
been deciphered, translated into German and commented on. Unlike many comments
in literature relating to these drawings they neither go back to Artefius or
Alphidius nor are they part of the paper „clavis sapientiae“. They were drawn up by an unknown hand in the late 14th century on the empty page 120verso of
the older manuscript 1122.
The drawings show a great
variety of vessels and apparatus of highly sophisticated design. It is clear
that they are based on older, professional sources. The descriptions in many
cases go back to Arab designations, which were later lost.
In many cases, archaeological
finds confirm the actual existence of the vessels shown in the manuscript, so
that we can assume that the drawings represent reality.
Thus the drawings can help to
interpret finds in storerooms of museums which up to now have not been
identified, or recently excavated parts or fragments.