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1111
Description: Arched shape; twisted rope edging (top and sides); top centre, over-pressed Tudor rose stamp on a square block; large diamond-shaped stamp with fleur-de-lys repeated each side below rose, both over-pressed.
Notes: The diamond-shaped stamp has been seen on other firebacks; one of the stamps appears to have been repositioned twice before casting.
- Decoration tags:
- rounded arched (shape)
- rope (edging)
- simple stamps
- carved stamps
- heraldic
Manufactured: in the mid- to late-16th century in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Crowborough, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Large diamond fleur series
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1112
Description: Canted rectangular shape; individual moulded edging; centre, initials WB, above date.
Notes: The text appears to have been imprinted into a mould formed from a base panel.
Inscription: WB / 1697
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with canted top corners (shape)
- complex individual (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1697 possibly in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Crowborough, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
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1113
Description: Quasi-rectangular with a three-facetted arch; top centre, left hand print; around each shoulder, M W mirrored.
Notes: The likelihood is that the M and W are formed of a double-V (virgo virginum) intended to symbolise the Virgin Mary and have an apotropaic (evil-averting) purpose. It may be of significance that hand prints seen on firebacks are always of the left hand.
Inscription: MW WM
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with triple-facetted arch (shape)
- none (edging)
- simple stamps
- individual letters
- apotropaic
- text
- humans
Manufactured: in the early-17th century possibly in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Crowborough, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Hand print firebacks
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1114
Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and two-thirds down sides); rope length across each top corner.
Notes: The twisted rope lengths are particularly well defined.
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- simple stamps
- objects
Manufactured: in the mid- to late-16th century in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Crowborough, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Rope design firebacks
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1115
Description: Fragment; canted rectangular; twisted rope edging (topand sides); central cross of twisted rope.
Notes: Sections missing at both ends.
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with canted top corners (shape)
- rope (edging)
- simple stamps
- apotropaic
- objects
Manufactured: in the 16th century in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Crowborough, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Rope design firebacks
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911
Description: Plain rectangular plate; no edging; top centre, date with '7' reversed; below date, initials in triad.
Notes: The reversed '7' indicates that the numerals, and probably the letters, had no backing; the initials are probably those of a husband and wife whose surname began with 'H'.
Inscription: 1676 / BHM
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- none (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1676 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Crowhurst, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
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340
Description: Arched rectangular shape; gadrooned edging (top and sides); initials, in separate stamps, at top of arch; date in separate stamps, split by central spindle, below; two different spindles used as stamps, one centrally between splitting initial stamps, the other repeated twice on each side, slightly lower; above each spindle a fleur-de-lys stamp.
Notes: It is possible that the initials were intended to be 'BW' but that it was forgotten that they needed to be reversed when impressed into the mould. The same base board has been used for other firebacks dating from 1622 and 1632, and the central spindle can be be seen on another fireback of 1644. Purchased by J. H. Every at Bigges Farm, Cuckfield, Sussex, in 1918.
Inscription: W B / 16 44
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with round arch (shape)
- gadrooned (edging)
- simple stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1644 possibly at Cuckfield Furnace in the Weald area of England.
Current location: not known.
Citation: Hughes, G. B., 21 Apr 1955, 'Old English Firebacks', Country Life, 117, pp. 1056-60.
Citation: Hughes, G. B., May 1940, 'Old English Firebacks', Apollo, 31, 185, pp. 117-120.
- Attached to series:
- Spindle series
- Spindle/distaff firebacks
- Date & initials firebacks
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45
Description: Rectangular; ovolo-moulded, gadrooned edging (top and sides); a vertical spindle or chair leg surmounted by a fleur-de-lys arranged three times; the date split by the middle fleur-de-lys.
Notes: The fleur-de-lys is separately stamped from the spindle, and the same spindle is seen on another fireback of the same date.
Inscription: 1641
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- gadrooned (edging)
- simple stamps
- carved stamps
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1641 possibly at Cuckfield Furnace in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Cuckfield, West Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Spindle series
- Spindle/distaff firebacks
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47
Description: Rectangular with canted top corners; ovolo-moulded edging (except base); top centre, cherub face and wings; below, date separated by initials in triad on either side of which a stag statant on a chapeau.
Notes: The cherub is similar, but not identical to those on a fireback, of 1713, from Ashburnham, and the layout and edging are also similar.
Inscription: 17 ICI [triad] 30
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with canted top corners (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- text
- animals
- humans
Manufactured: in 1730 possibly at Ashburnham Furnace in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Cuckfield, West Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
- Miscellaneous stamp firebacks
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40
Description: Pentagonal; convex, twisted cloth edging with inner fillet; Tudor royal shield, garter, crown and supporters (crowned lion and dragon); initials split by crown; date split by garter buckle.
Notes: Royal arms of Queen Elizabeth I; uncommon edging.
Inscription: E R / HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE / 1585
Arms: Tudor royal (Elizabeth I)
- Decoration tags:
- triangular arched (shape)
- convex, twisted cloth with inner fillet (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- individual numbers
- armorial
- royal
- text
Manufactured: in 1585 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Cuckfield, West Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Elizabethan royal armorial firebacks
- Tudor royal armorial firebacks