The ironworks -Hassel and Eidsfos

When the glassworks at Nøstetangen started in 1741. Hasselverket was already a well-established company, more than a hundred years old and a recognized ironworks. It produced both wrought iron, which the blacksmiths used as raw material for their products, and many types of cast iron products. Most famous - both in contemporary and posterity - was probably Hassel for his "iron tile stoves", with iron plates that were small works of art. They were cast in wooden forms with carvings made by some of the leading wood carvers in the country.

The Rococo period in the last half of the 18th century is considered a time of greatness for this kiln art, and the Rococo kilns from Hassel are an interesting parallel to the glass art from Nøstetangen in the same period. The motifs were taken from biblical history, but also from Greek and Roman mythology. The country's kings were also hailed, and some of the very richest citizens could also specially order stoves with their own monogram.

Owners in this period were the Neumann family, relatives of Cappelen on Fossesholm and members of the local trade patricians. Jacob Hansen Neumann was the owner from 1746 until he died in 1777. Then stood his widow,

The plant's main mines were located in Hasselåsen on Modum, but it also had mines elsewhere on Eiker and not least near Arendal, where iron ore of a very special quality was mined, which was transported by sea to Eiker. The plant with the large blast furnace was located at Daler on Eiker and was operated with hydropower from the Bingselva. Together with the sawmills, which lay a little further down the river, it laid the foundation for the settlement Skotselv

Eidsfos iron works

Eidsfo's iron works were started in 1697 by Caspar Herman von Hausmann - grandfather of Caspar Herman von Storm, who played such a central role at the Nøstetangen glassworks. Jernverket was located in Hof parish in Jarlsberg county, but it was still connected to Eiker in several ways. Many of the company's mines were located in the area between Drammensdalen and Eikeren - most at Konnerud, but partly also at Eiker. The farmers at Eiker were probably involved in hauling ore for the plant and in deliveries of coal and wood. Together with Kongsberg Sølvverk and Hassel jernverk, Eidsfos was a competitor for Nøstetangen in the battle for forest resources.

Much of the transport to and from Eidsfos also went through Eiker. Ore and other goods for the plant were rowed up the Drammenselva and Vestfosselva to Vestfossen and on with sailing yachts across Fiskumvannet and Eikeren. Together with the timber floating and the transport of goods for the Silver Agency, the transport to Hassel and Eidsfos made the Eiker waterway an important transport route. It helped to employ a growing population of domestics and workers.

READ MORE ABOUT JERNVERKET EIDSFOSS - NORWAY'S BEST NEAREST IRONWORK ASSOCIATION:

https://vestfoldmuseene.no/jernverket-eidsfoss/jernverkshistorien/