Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; pictorial scene of seven figures, the central one crowned, seated at a table laid with cups and dishes, with two other figures, one at the front, the other to the right, serving them; below are martial symbols (cannon, banners etc.); behind the figures are two archways with drapery at the side, and a chandelier above; arched rectangular border with fillet edging, and egg-and-dart moulding on top and sides; on top, a diamond within a cartouche, and the same on each shoulder of the plate; descending from the top, a serpent on each side.

Notes: The scene is of the marriage at Cana (John 2), a biblical story often portrayed on firebacks and stoveplates.

Description: Rectangular with three arches, the middle one larger than the outer two; cavetto-moulded edging; bottom panel, pictorial scene of Jesus and the woman of Samaria at the well (John 4), with other figures, buildings etc. in the background, illegible text below; centre arch, shield, helm, crest and mantling of unidentified arms, the initials 'GP' in bottom corners; left arch, probable figure of a saint; right arch, probable figure of a soldier.

Notes: The combination of a biblical scene (John 4) with a coat of arms.

Inscription: 16 30 / G P

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with cavetto-moulded edging; standing female figure holding a bunch of lowers in her left hand and a pot of flowers in her ight hand; to her left a ribbed, two-handled vase of tulips, to her right a fountain with a seated figure of Neptune/Poseidon holding a trident in the right hand; the words, Fruhling, split by the figure; above, clouds; on top a scallop shell between two descending sea serpents.

Notes: The iconic figure of Spring.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: FRVH LING

Description: Arched rectangular shape; fluted pilasters supporting a lintel with nine evenly spaced flowers arranged horizontally; central standing female figure, holding a basket of flowers, a child upon her back, another child by her side, and a sheep to her left; on top, a symmetrical arrangement of an anchor, two paddles and two cornucopiae.

Notes: The figure would seem to represent Charity. One of a series with a distinctly Empire style.

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead-on-fillet edging; pictorial scene of a seated couple (female to the left, male to the right) holding hands; behind, to the right, a sheep by a tree; arched rectangular border with fillet edging and probable foliate decoration; on top, scallop shell between two dolphins.

Notes: The symbolism of this scene is uncertain, but likely to be of an allegorical or iconological nature.

Description: Arched rectangular shape; no edging; raised central square surmounted by Royal Arms of Great Britain and Ireland, with Garter, crown and lion and unicorn supporters; surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped, twisted floral wreath, within which the inscription is printed in capitals. Above the arms a raised rectangular fillet is surmounted by two suspended floral swags, one above the other, comprising roses and oak apples. On each side of the fillet are two Tudor roses, one above the other.

Notes: Dated to between 1714 and 1801. The inscription is the visible part of an abbreviated version of the formal title of the monarch, ‘By the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, Duke of Brunswick and Lünenburg, Arch Treasurer and Prince Elector of the Holy Roman Empire’.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: MAG BRIT FRA ET HIB REX F D BRUN ET LUN DUX / HONY SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE

Arms: English Hanoverian royal

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 blowing horns; arched rectangular shaped border with ovolo egg and dart edging; above, two symmetrical dolphins with a clam shell between.

Notes: Typical type of fireback produced in Germany by Dutch pattern makers; the central panel was made separately for insertion into different borders; this border is a relatively simple type.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead-and-pellet edging on a broad fillet; nude figure of a man standing on a mound, resting his left hand on a club, a plant to his right, and drapery swags above; arched rectangular border with symmetrical swirls; monogram centre bottom; on top, symmetrical, swirled foliage.

Notes: The figure is probably of Hercules.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: SHR

Description: Rectangular; flanged edging; rectangular upper panel with cyma recta edging; pictorial scene of Jesus sitting at the well with the woman of Samaria, inscription along the bottom edge; lower inset rectangular panel with date in relief.

Notes: The inscription reads: From the maiden of Samaria - John 4

Inscription: VOM FROWLEIN VON SAMARIA JOH 4 / 1649

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead-on-fillet edging; pictorial scene of two men in mid-17t century dress carrying a large bunch of grapes on a pole between them, above them drapery; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; cascade of flowers around arch and down sides; on top, central crown with descending serpents, an urn on each shoulder of the plate.

Notes: The scene depicts Joshua and Caleb returning from Canaan with a bunch of grapes (Numbers 13: 23-4).