Tool - GOLD CRADLE & PANNING DISH, JAMES ESMOND, CIRCA 1850

Historical information

USED TO OBTAIN ALLUVIAL GOLD

THE DESIGN OF THIS EQUIPMENT IS MOSTLY BASED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF THE WAY HEAVY MINERALS ARE CONCENTRATED IN ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS. THE PROSPECTING DISH IS USED WHEN WORKING WITH SMALL AMOUNTS OF STONES & CLAY WHILE BIGGER JOBS THE CRADLE OR BANJO IS MORE EFFICIENT. THE GAUZE OF MESH IN THE SIEVE IS VARIABLE. THE CRADLE OR BANJO IS USUALLY SET UP AT RIGHT ANGLES TO A SHALLOW CREEK OR WATERHOLE WITH THE OPEN ENDS TOWARDS THE WATER

Physical description

.1 WOODEN CONSTRUCTION MADE BY HAND WITH GAUZE FILTER IN UPPER SECTION TO SEPARATE QUARTZ ROCKS, SAND AND SOIL. A HANDLE ON BOX LIKE CONSTRUCTION IS USED TO ROCK THE CRADLE WHICH IS MOUNTED WITH ITS ROCKERS RESTING ON WOODEN BEARERS.
.2 PAN

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