Firebacks

  1. 126

    hastings_016.jpg
    >533 x 660 mm

    Description: Fragment; rectangular; astragal and fillet edging (top and sides); oblique lion passant above two left facing 'imps', one with right arm raised, the other with both arms lowered.

    Notes: One of the legs of the leopard is missing, suggesting that the stamp, which appears complete on many firebacks, was well used and had been damaged; this suggests a relatively late use of this stamp.One of a large series all bearing royal heraldic stamps, but unusual in the use of moulded edging, twisted rope being normally used for this series. The surviving elements were probably mirrored on the missing half. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

    Manufactured: in the mid to late 16th century in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, John's Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings, East Sussex, England.

    Museum number: HASMG: 1952.51.12 (LA 760) (part of the Hastings Museum museum group)

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2022, 'A Tudor Fireback Stamp: the progressive deterioration of its condition as evidence of the relative age of castings', Journal of the Antique Metalware Society, 27, pp. 42-5.