Mining and historic Nová Baňa

Mining tools and lamps address two basic challenges of working underground: cutting into rock and illuminating the workings. Samples of local rocks and minerals accompany them. Placing the tools beside geological specimens connects the town's history with the materials sought in the surrounding area. Municipal and mining insignia, together with an oil painting of the town's former coat of arms, document the development of the community.

A working model of a water-powered ore stamp mill explains one part of the technology. This is not an original mining machine, but a small-scale representation of equipment used to process extracted ore. Mines enclosed in bottles offer another kind of miniature. Known as patience bottles, they contain scenes of miners at work arranged on several levels.

Traditional men's mining dress and wooden figures of miners also feature in this account. A tool, a costume and a miniature serve different purposes: work, clothing and the explanation or representation of an occupation. Comparing them gives a concrete picture of the trade that shaped the town.