Firebacks

Description: Rectangular; rope edge (top and sides); rose and crown within a shield, stamped twice, both inverted, down centre; rectangular stamp with griffin, twice, in top corners.

Notes: Five other firebacks bearing these stamps are known: one is also in Hastings, and one, dated 1569, is at Hadlow Down, Sussex. The locations of the other three are not known. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Description: Arched rectangular shape; ovolo moulded edging; date in arch; below arch two parallel, vertical straps, each with a buckle at the top; initials left and right of centre; rectangular stamp with bird, four times across top; larger rectangular stamp with unidentified animal, twice below initials.

Notes: The buckles suggest a connection with the Pelham family; the initials may relate to Sir Thomas Pelham, Bt. (1597-1654) who owned and operated ironworks at Waldron in Sussex. This is one of a few examples of a copy of a casting of the original pattern to which additional stamps had been added. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Inscription: 1642 / T P

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with fillet and bead edging, Neptune/Poseidon, holding a trident in his right hand, sitting in a scallop shell drawn by four mythical sea horses, behind are two mermaids; arched rectangular shaped border with ovolo egg and dart edging; above, two symmetrical dolphins with a clam shell between.

Notes: Typical type of firebacks produced in Germany for the Dutch market; the central panel was made separately for insertion into different borders; this border is a relatively simple type. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: 'Dutch' style; arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead edging, semi-naked figure holding a caduceus in his left hand, standing on a mound with a tree to the right and clouds above; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging and an ivy and acanthus leaf pattern; on top an arrangement of swirled foliage.

Notes: The figure is Hermes/Mercury, one of a set of 'Eight Deities' engraved by Hendrick Goltzius (1592), after Polidoro da Caravaggio. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Rectangular with twisted rope edging; straight lengths of rope re-stamped to make longer lengths in the shape of a saltire on each side and a 'V' in the middle.

Notes: The arrangement of the rope lengths may have an apotropaic significance, a double 'v' alluding to the Virgin Mary. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Description: Quasi-rectangular shape with low-curved convex top; edging (top and sides)formed of lengths of dowel grooved laterally and helically; upper centre, cross formed of the same dowel; at each side, tandem arrangement of longer dowel, similarly grooved.

Notes: The base board appears to be the same size and shape as that of a fireback at Plaxtol, Kent (no. 587), which also has the same edging; and the grooved dowels are also on a fireback with dagger stamps at Lewes; the cross will have been intended to have apotropaic significance. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Description: Plain rectangular plate with cross formed of a single length of twisted rope placed twice.

Notes: Despite the simple form, the likely Christian symbolism is very evident. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and sides); top left, date carved on block; top right, individual letter 'I' followed by 'WA' carved on block.

Notes: The same date stamp appears on a group of multi-facetted, arched firebacks bearing the crowned Tudor arms within a Garter. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Inscription: 1589 I WA

Description: Rectangular with triangular pediment; stepped fillet and ogee moulded edge to pediment; twisted rope sides; date in portico; medallion with dog crest stamped twice in top left and right corners.

Notes: It may be that the date and portico form a separate panel, as the position of the date appears to be the same on the three known castings where it is found.

Inscription: 1586

Description: Rectangular with triangular pediment; stepped fillet and ogee moulded edge; initials in rectangular panel (F reversed); date in portico.

Notes: The triangular top is a separate element, in this instance impressed before the lower panel. A variant at the Victoria and Albert Museum (no. 771) has the letters positioned slightly differently. A version of this fireback, with a rope-edged panel in the lower part, and medallion stamps, can also be seen at Hastings. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Inscription: 1586 F M