Palnstorf mineral and rock collection
Palnstorf mineral and rock collection (together with two
corresponding catalogues) in placed in Slovenian Museum of
Natural History in Ljubljana. As it can be read in the first
catalogue, petrographical collection contains 1330 square shaped
rock slabs. Mineralogical collection contains 2429 specimens,
described in second catalogue. Both catalogues represent a
description of the mineralogical - petrological collection, which
Friderik Rudež gave (1831/32) Provincial Museum in Ljubljana.
Arrangement of minerals of Palnstorf collection differs very much
in comparison with recent classification, which is based on
chemical basis. Minerals with metallic lustre were grouped upon
metals, which compose them: for instance gold minerals are
grouped together, silver minerals together... Palnstorf divided
minerals with non-metallic lustre in many groups. The inflammable
material (where not only coal can be found, but also sulphur and
pyrite) was treated separately. At the end of collection some
eruptive could be found for instance some lava. In those days
(second part of the 18th century) minerals and rocks were not
clearly distinguished. That is also one of the characteristics of
Werner classification, which Palnstorf mainly took into account
in arranging his collection.
The exhibited part of Palnstorf collection contains 393 slabs.
Jožef Palnstorf
Jožef Palnstorf was state official in former Carniola. He was
interested in natural sciences, exclusively mineralogy. In
connection with mineralogy he co-operated with Sigmund Zois. He
was the author of collection; he collected slabs and mostly also
prepared them.
Friderik Rudež
Friderik Rudež was a lord and house owner. He was interested in
natural sciences, especially zoology. He was the second owner of
Palnstorf collection. In 1831/32 he gave the collection (with
corresponding catalogues) Provincial Museum in Ljubljana.
Palnstorf mineral and rock collection - exhibited part
Slabs from Palnstorf collection are inlayed in two biedermeier
tables, which are exhibited in Slovenian Museum of Natural
History in Ljubljana. In the first days of Provincial Museum in
Ljubljana, lord Hochenwart, curator of the museum, ordered two
wooden tables and inlayed them with 392 slabs from Palnstorf
collection.
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1: 180 slabs from Palnstorf collection inlayed in
biedermeier table (Photo: C. Mlinar)