Johann von Löwenstern-Kunckel

John Kunckle, also written Kunkel (* around 1630 in Wittenberg at Plön in Schleswig, † March 20, 1703 ) was a German alchemist and successful glassmaker. From the Swedish King Karl XI. He was knighted for " Johann Kunckle of Löwenstern ".

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Historical Background

The economic development in the 16th and 18th centuries made ​​gold and money definitely an indispensable tool of local and cross-border trade and, in addition to the ownership of real property, the measure of poverty or wealth. This increased the interest of the rulers in alchemy, they saw it as an easy way to raise the funds for increasing government spending and consuming royal household. Alchemy, a border activities between scientific research and charlatanism seemed to offer a way to procure by transmutation (conversion ) of base metals such as gold and silver in any desired amount of money. The serious student among the alchemists believed in the principle of this possibility. And even an enlightened rulers like Frederick II of Prussia ( Frederick the Great) was still from about 1750 larger sums for such experiments.

While the superscript client were disappointed in their expectation of cheap gold, either intentionally, or at least disappointed, the work of the alchemists often led to unexpected technological advances, such as metallurgy, dyeing, the manufacture of glass and porcelain. Process for the production of sulfuric acid, ammonia and of Prussian blue ( a deep blue synthetic pigment) go back to it. The famous chemist Justus von Liebig wrote in 1865: "Among the alchemists always was a real core naturalists who were mistaken in their theoretical views often even while driving gold cooks themselves and others cheated ." Liebig gave three names of such "real naturalists ", including the John Kunckle. Their services could " be assimilated to the greatest discoveries of our century ."

Life

First stations

John Kunckle Wittenberg was born in Plön. Various sources mention the birth of 1620, 1630 and 1638th Kunckle, whose father was an alchemist and Glashütte master, was first engaged in pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Since 1659 he was an alchemist and apothecary at the court of the Duke of Saxe- Lauenburg, with the title of chamberlain, as usual for such items. He hired experiments on the deposition of metals and experimented extensively with phosphorus, one of his time- particularly topical material. On trips, including to Venice Murano, European Centre demanding glassmaking, he acquired his first knowledge in this area.

1670 Elector Johann Georg II of Saxony called him to his court in Dresden and appointed him his " secret valet and Chymico to our secret Laboratorio ". The committed annual salary of 1000 thalers, very impressive for its time, it can be concluded that the elector saw a gold maker in Kunckle. The also worked on the problem of the transmutation of metals, but none of it is known that he would have made concrete promises. On May 30, 1676, he enrolled at the University of Wittenberg, where he remained two whole years. When he warned us in 1677 its outstanding content, the response of the electors should have been: " Can Kunckle make gold, so he needs no money, he can not such, why would you give him money? "

Glassmakers in Brandenburg

From his difficult situation in Saxony Kunckle was freed by an offer from Brandenburg: he may yet ( the Great Elector called ) demonstrate the Elector Friedrich Wilhelm his experiments with phosphorus. In this area, the alchemist was not entirely correct; he took unfounded claim for themselves, " invented" the method of synthesis, which the glowing phosphorus modification earned the nickname P4 Kunckel'scher phosphorus. The detailed discussions with the technical- scientifically interested electors were very satisfactory. Finally Kunckle got a job as a Secret valet with 500 thalers annual salary. For his patron he provided all kinds of interesting tidbits, devices for physical experiments and chemical test configurations.

The real reason for his commitment but was apparently in his knowledge in the field of glass manufacturing. With a targeted economic policy they tried back in Brandenburg, to mitigate the still noticeable consequences of the Thirty Years' War: indigenous raw materials should be processed in the country, as many finished products exported, costly imports be avoided if possible. By the end of the 1670s, the Great Elector had the local glass production, could rely on suitable raw materials in Brandenburg, generally promoted by this model, also by appropriate import bans. Now the focus should be on quality glass, which promised greater export earnings. Suitable for this purpose was until then only one of four glass factories - in a part of Potsdam- Drewitzer hut crystal glass is made.

1678 Johann Kunckle was appointed head of this operation part. 1679 began on a hook dam in Potsdam another crystal glass factory with the production, also they Kunckel line; subsequently he became a partner and eventually tenants there. A successful product of the hut were colored glass beads, so-called " coral " that were used by the Brandenburg Guinea'schen Compagnie barter in African bases. In this phase succeeded Kunckle also technologically so further develop the already known in principle made ​​of gold ruby glass, that a meaningful commercial production was possible. He won by a glass that was needed in Brandenburg as a luxury item and most suitable for export.

Also in 1679 he published his book " Ars Vitraria Experimentalis or perfect glassmaking art." He translated and edited the few hitherto existing literature and summarized in his work everything he knew on the subject - own experiences and those of other glass makers from all over Europe. It is based in large part on the translation of L 'arte Vetraria distineta in libri sette ( 1612 ) by Anthony Neri. The book was the first of its kind in the German -speaking world and influenced as a standard work of European glassmaking in the next hundred years.

The Elector was so pleased with Kunckel work that he 1685 Today's Peacock Island him (then peacocks Werder ) gave. The deed of gift dated 27 October about suited him " inheritance and peculiar " the whole island, freed him and his employees from all duties and services that allow them to brew, bake and burn spirits, and to build a windmill, so they grind and could grind; as his people did not have to leave the island. This facilitated the confidentiality of all activities that were planned on the island. However, the remote location was also a protection against the high risk of fire, which at that time ran out of glassworks. Kunckle built a new hut in the northeast of the island and experimented with special ovens to determine the best efficiency. He developed a ruby glass of particular luminosity and perfected its production. Successful experiments with metal oxides led to the production of colored decorative and functional glasses. However, it also managed to produce an improved clear glass mass which was easy to work with and the quality of Czech products are not inferior. Maerkisches glass won a national reputation, exports increased significantly.

Entering or leaving the island became a punishable offense. Kunckle itself was exempted from the ban, he led still the crystal glassworks in Potsdam, where he now manufacture ruby glass, and had a house in Berlin's Monastery Road. Since the Elector had given him a national monopoly for the production and sale of ruby glass, Kunckle had become relatively wealthy quickly. Of course, had the Elector access to the island. He frequently from nearby Potsdam let himself get across in the boat, often for many hours, to inspect the progress of his alchemists and glassmaker and to experiment yourself. The farmers all around and the residents of Potsdam were the black smoke and the intense chemical odors from the island here, the strict secrecy sinister or suspicious, it was thought, at least alchemy, but also sinister witchcraft.

Last years

1688 died Kunckel conveyor, the Great Elector. He had supported the production of high-quality glass not only for economic reasons but also for the joy of beautiful things - and how he should have said, with such funds as he had previously squandered at the gaming table and for fireworks. His successor withdrew the glassmakers all support. As Kunckle was asked by the councilors of the new electors according to the benefits of its costly activities, he replied: " The high late Mr. Elector was a lover of rare and curious things, and was glad when something has been accomplished, which was nice and petite. What this has availed this question I can not answer. "

A years -long process for alleged embezzlement - he had not fulfilled the hopes placed in him - ended without guilt evidence yet but with a conviction for repayment of 8000 thalers and damage to his reputation. Already in 1689 had a fire that destroyed his glass factory and laboratory on the peacock island down to the ground, economically ruined him. When it reached in 1692 an invitation to Sweden, he ended his stay in Brandenburg. He sold his town house in Berlin, paid his debts and traveled as a poor man but rich in knowledge and experience to Stockholm.

His skills earned him high recognition there soon. First, he was appointed Royal Bergrat 1693 by King Karl XI. levied as " Johann Kunckle of Löwenstern " to the peerage. On March 20, 1703 Johann Kunckle died on a trip. On the Peacock Island, the text recalls on a stone at his work. In Bornstedt in Potsdam glassworks bears his name.

Works (selection)

• Ars Vitraria Experimentalis, or perfect the art of glassmaking. Leipzig 1679 ( digitized and full text in German Text Archive ), 1689, 1743, 1785
• Useful Observationes or note from the fixed and volatile salts, Auro and Argento POTABILI ... 1676 (lat. 1678)
• Of the Principiis Chymicis, Salibus Acidis and Alcalibus, Fixis and Volatilibus ... 1677
• Epistola contra Spiritum Vini sine acido ..., 1684
• Chymnischer touchstone de Acido & Urinoso, Sale Caldido & Frigido contra Dr. Voigt Spiritus Vini Vindicatum, 1684
• ( Anthology ) Five curiose Chymical Tractätlein. Frankfurt / M. and Leipzig in 1721 (already contains works cited )
• Curieuse art and Werck school. 2 Tle, Nuremberg in 1696; ext. Ed u.d.T. Resist newly erected ... Art and Werck - school, 2 Tle, Nuremberg 1705-07