Bottle-Corking Machine - Boldt & Vogel, Brass, circa 1900

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Summary:: Hand operated bottle-corking machine, used at Ararat Lunatic Asylum, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900. Made by Boldt & Vogel.
Description:: Hand operated bottle corking machine has tall thin cast-iron frame with long, slightly curved diagonal lever passing through centre. Lever has turned wooden handle on righthand end and large (16cm diam.) ball shaped weight (with flattened sides) on left. At top in front is brass vice, shaped to hold and compress corks and underneath to fit top of bottle. Below this is flat, round bottle stand on vertical rod attached to horizontal lever near base (also with heavy ball-shaped weight on end) When handle is pushed down, mechanism (of roller and levers) within frame pulls vice shut. Top of mechanism is thick, vertical shaft which descends when handle is depressed. Top has been broken off but appears to have curved over.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Office of Psychiatric Services, 1985

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	82.00 cm (Height), 42.00 cm (Width), 88.00 cm (Length)

Tagged with:	bottles, bottling equipment, mental health, mental health institutions, psychiatric hospitals
Themes this item is part of:	Psychiatric Services Collection, Medicine in Society Collection, Public Life & Institutions Collection
Primary Classification:	MEDICINE & HEALTH
Secondary Classification:	Mental Health - Institutional Life
Tertiary Classification:	food & drink preparation
Inscriptions:	BOLDT & VOGEL/HAMBURG embossed on each side of weight opposite handle.
Manufacturer:	Boldt & Vogel, Hamburg, Germany, circa 1900
Place & Date Used:	Ararat, Victoria, Australia, circa 1900
References:	card with exhibit