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Clip description
Once the pieces of the teapot have been put together by gas blowing, the teapots are dipped into a ‘striking bath’ containing liquid silver. This bath is then charged with an electric current for the ‘electro deposition of metals’. The pots are removed and scratch-brushed with a brass brush in preparation for a heavy deposit of pure Broken Hill silver.
Women in the silver finishing department then burnish the pots to both brighten them and ensure they are hardy to withstand wear.
Curator’s notes
The division of labour is clearly illustrated in this clip with women doing the polishing and the men doing other tasks. Further examples of this can be seen in the Made in Australia Council’s other films as well as the documentaries A Day in a Biscuit Factory and A Visit to Ernest Hillier’s Factory.
