ShibuiPotter
9 years ago
I wonder if anyone can help me?
I am a ceramic artist currently working on a collection of pieces for an exhibition later this year. I will be making a series of Japanese style Tea Bowls and would like to use 'famous' Cumbrian minerals to make glazes to decorate the pieces. Yesterday I spent a few happy hours collecting Pink Shap Granite powder from the reopened quarry. The Coniston Slate and stone workings are kindly providing me with some powdered slate from their machine shops.
I am looking for some Cumbrian Iron Ore in a finely ground or powdered state to represent the west of the county. Does anyone know where I might be able to obtain some? It doesn't need to be particularly pure, the most important thing is that it is authentically west Cumbrian.
Any help greatly appreciated
Buckhill
9 years ago
Try Florence Mine, Egremont, they might just be the people to help you - no longer producing but an arts centre is now on the site. Probably a fair amount of ore still lying about the place.

(Contact on 01946 824946)
somersetminer
9 years ago
Have you tried Florence Mine? they used to produce it, might have some left
legendrider
9 years ago
Coniston Copper

Seathwaite Plumbago (graphite)

to add but two!

MARK
festina lente[i]
sparlad
9 years ago
I believe the Arts Centre at Florence is actually producing a series of artist's pigments from the hematite. Obviously a limited range of colours !
AR
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9 years ago
Wonder what colour the tungsten minerals from Carrock Fell would produce when fired, or Campylite for that matter?
Follow the horses, Johnny my laddie, follow the horses canny lad-oh!
alanw
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9 years ago
You may find it of interest that there is also a West Cumbrian maritime association with Japan.

Both my great and great-great grandfathers were captains who sailed around the world and brought back many souvenirs, including Chinese/Japanese ceramics.

Some of these can be seen in old photographs of the family home (we cleared and sold it many years ago):

http://www.david.zen.co.uk/albahouse/stairs.html 
http://www.david.zen.co.uk/albahouse/drawing-room.html 

Another of my great-grandfathers was manager of the Solway Iron Works

http://www.maryportmaritimemuseum.btck.co.uk/  who have a large collection of old documents.
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