Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.16634

    Saffron kiln and shovel

    Date
    16 December 1663
    Creator
    Unknown, Artist
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Manuscript page number
    p139
    Material
    Dimensions
    height (page): 355mm
    width (page): 237mm
    Subject
    Content object
    Description
    Drawing of a kiln and shovel to process saffron in a paper by Charles Howard (1630-1713), which he read before the Royal Society on 9 December 1663.

    The kiln Howard donated to the Society is listed in Nehemiah Grew's catalogue of its Repository (1681).

    This manuscript is a copy of Register Book no. 2 (RBO/2i) and some letters to the Royal Society, all from between 1662 and 1664.

    These images can be found in the register book at RBO/2i/325 or RBO/2ii/225. Other versions can be found at RBC/2/118, Cl.P/10iii/6/003, Cl.P/10iii/6/005 and MS/776/508.
    Object history
    At the meeting of the Royal Society on 4 November, 1663, ‘Mr. Howard mentioned something of the care taken by him for the propogating [sic] of saffron, and of several observations made by him concerning it; desiring, that some members of the society might be joined with him for the prosecution of this work. Whereupon Mr. Boyle, Mr. Evelyn, and Mr. Henshaw were desired to do so, and himself was requested his notes aforesaid to the society’ (Birch, 1:327).

    2 December 1663, ‘Mr. Howard’s account of saffron was read; and upon his mentioning some additions, which he had ready to join to this paper, was desired to communicate them likewise.
    He promised to produce before the society the kiln and other instruments employed for the ordering of the saffron’ (Birch 1:340).

    On 9 December 1663, ‘Mr. Howard’s account of saffron was read again, because of the additions made by him since the last meeting. He also produced a saffron-kiln, and a cake, to be left with the Society. His paper was ordered to be registered’ (Birch 1:342).

    The kiln is listed in Nehemiah Grew, Musæum Regalis Societatis. Or a Catalogue & Description of the Natural and Artificial Rarities Belonging to the Royal (London: W. Rawlins, 1681), p. 371.
    Related fellows
    Charles Howard (1630 - 1713, British) , Army officer
    Associated place
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