Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangle with crude scalloping around the edges; elaborate, symmetrical strapwork frame with scrolls top left and right, and below, a bunch of grapes hanging from the top, and the head and forelegs of a goat climbing through; inside each upper scroll, a small astragel edged oval.

Notes: This strap-work stamp, characteristic of late-16th and early-17th century architectural drawings and engravings and derivative of the work of artists like Hans Vredeman de Vries, was probably derived from interior carving on a fireplace overmantel or similar. The goat and bunch of grapes suggest an allusion to Bacchus. Marks round the edge of this fireback suggest that it may have been reduced from a larger size. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Description: Arched rectangular shape; bead-on-fillet edging; in a garden of ground, a tree and a tall plant in a pot, the standing figure of a young person blowing a pipe, two sheep or goats behind; arched rectangular border with ovolo-moulded edging; symmetrical arrangement of scrolled foliage; on top, a scallop shell with a descending dolphin on each side of the arch.

Notes: The scene may be allegorical or purely representational. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead-on-fillet edging; pictorial scene of the interior of the stable at Bethlehem with a stone arched doorway and a hay stall in the background; in the left foreground the seated figure of the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus, and Joseph behind; behind Joseph a donkey, and to the left of the child a seated ox; to the right, three figures, one kneeling and another holding a hat; in front of the kneeling figure a basket; arched rectangular border with fillet edging and a repeated leaf pattern; on top, a scallop shell between two dolphins.

Notes: The scene is of the Adoration by the Magi - Matthew 2: 11. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with arch and bead edging within a similarly shaped cavetto-moulded border and pomegranates on to and on the ach shoulder of the plate; pictorial representation of the king of Sweden mounted on a horse.

Notes: The king would be Gustav II. There is a companion fireback bearing the image of Prince Fredrik Henrik of Oranje. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: DIE KONINCK VON SWEDEN

Description: Arched rectangular shape with fillet edging and a repeated line and concentric semi-circle design; wicker enclosure with gate at bottom, overlaid with a lion rampant surmounted by a crown.

Notes: The enclosure is the Garden of Holland (Hollandse Tuin) and the lion the badge of the States General of the Netherlands; on the shoulders of the plate, and on three other positions equally spaced around the arch, repeated small fleurs-d-lys. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Inscription: ...E HOV...

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with arch and bead-on-fillet edging; pictorial representation of a popinjay, or parrot, perched on a ring suspended by a string, the bird is clutching an olive twig, two others are below; arched rectangular border with arch; cavetto-moulded edging;to left and right, a Corinthian column with twisted lower part, and an entablature above; at top, a central flower with scrolls descending on both sides of the arch; on top, n orb, repeated on each shoulder of the plate.

Notes: The inscription is a mis-spelling of the German for parrot; the parrot on the ring perch is a popular design on Dutch firebacks. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: PAPEGEI

Description: Rectangular with arched, mirrored scrolls on top and central scallop shell; fillet edging; Pan, with a goat behind, trees to left and right; a putto above right; at the bottom, a separate rectangular panel with mirrored scrolled foliage.

Notes: A scene apparently unrelated to a specific classical narrative, and without the customary decorated border. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead on fillet edging; suspended from the top, by a ribbon, a ring with a popinjay, or parrot perched thereon, biting a twig in its right claw; below left is a seated child, and in the bottom corners the initial and monogram; around this panel is an arched rectangular border with fillet edging, at the top of which is the word, HOLLANDIA, between scrolls, with swags of fruit hung on ribbons suspended from roses down each side; at the bottom, a motto scroll bearing the inscription, ANNO 16 ...; on top, a central scallop shell between two dolphins.

Notes: A common design among firebacks produced in Germany for the Dutch market. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: HOLLANDIA / H HS / ANNO 16 ...

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. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

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. Mitford collection, Petworth House.