Numero oggetto
51/512
Descrizione
The weight jack is a device which developed in the late-sixteenth century for slowly turning a spit over an open fire when roasting meat and poultry. This weight jack probably came from Berkshire. It is missing its winding key and weight.
Descrizione fisica
1 weight jack: metal (wrought iron); wood; fair condition - key and weight missing
Storico archivio
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'By the end of the sixteenth century, weight driven jacks for driving roasting spits had come into use, and lasted until cooking by spits became obsolete. The machine was worked on the same principle as the weight clock, the weight being wound up on a drum that is fixed to a long iron rod, at the end of which is a wooden driving wheel. The driving wheel, which has a grooved edge was connected to the spit by means of a cord or chain. The spit was either of the basket or cradle type in which the meat was enclosed, or of the two pronged type. The drum of the jack is geared up through a spur and worm gear to a fly wheel, which enabled the spit to be turned very slowly and at uniform speed, thus overcoming any jerking and extra resistance caused by the unequal balance of the joint on the spit. // The origin of this weight jack is unknown, but it probably came form Berkshire. It is made of wrought iron and was fixed to the mantel of the open fireplace by means of four screws, which are now missing. The front of the jack, which faced the room when fixed, is elaborately ornamented. From the drum the rod leads to the wooden driving wheel, the grooved edges of which show some signs of wear. The overall length of the jack from the front of the mechanism to the tip of the connecting rod is 36 inches. Its greatest width, in the centre of the mechanism is 11.5 inches and its total width at the front is 12.2 inches and 9 inches high. The key for winding the mechanism and the weight are missing.'
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