Firebacks

Manufactured in the Shropshire area

  1. 1228

    bishop_and_miller,_4_aug_2023_lot_2960707_1570x760.jpg
    1570 x 760 mm

    Description: Canted rectangular shape; double fillet edging (top and sides); top centre, date; initials, SP, repeated in top corners; a fleur-de-lys below each pair of initials and the date; between the initials and the date, a flower head, with two more flower heads arranged vertically on each side below the initials.

    Notes: The style of the fleurs-de-lys, and the distinctive form of the number '8', indicate that this fireback is one of a small series. Bishop & Miller auction, Stowmarket, Suffolk, 25 May 2022, lot 292 & 23 Feb 2023 lot 250, and Auctionet 4 Aug 2023, lot 2960707.

    Inscription: SP 1689 SP

    Manufactured: in 1689 possibly in the Shropshire area of England.

    Current location: not known.

  2. 811

    broseley_01a.jpg
    990 x 640 mm

    Description: Canted rectangle; twisted rope edging (top and canting only); centre top, date (written as 1018); below to left and right, initials.

    Notes: It has been suggested that the initials IR relate to King James I but the lack of any other royal decoration makes this unlikely.

    Inscription: 1618 / IR IR

    Manufactured: in 1618 possibly in the Shropshire area of England.

    Current location: 50, Church Street, Broseley, Shropshire, England.

    Citation: Calcutt, V., Autumn 2021, 'Cast iron fire-back from East Shropshire', Base Thoughts, Newsletter of the Antique Metalware Society, p. 10.

    Citation: Callcut, V., Nov 2004, 'Shirlot (or Shirlett?) Hearth Iron', Newsletter of the Broseley Local History Society, pp. 8-9.

    Citation: Randall, J., 1879, Broseley and its Surroundings (Madeley, The Salopian and West-Midland Journal), pp. 98-99.

  3. 1006

    halls_(shrewsbury),_lot_127_28_oct_2015a.jpg
    1280 x 660 mm

    Description: Rectangular shape with twisted rope edging (top and sides); date split between top corners.

    Notes: The central button on the number 1 is consistent with a date in the first half of the seventeenth century. Hall's auction, Shrewsbury, 28 Oct 2015, lot 127 (£190).

    Inscription: 16 37

    Manufactured: in 1637 possibly in the Shropshire area of England.

    Current location: in private hands, Wigmore, Herefordshire, England.

  4. 862

    lenygon_fig_256a.jpg
    ~1200 x ~650 mm

    Description: Canted rectangle; double fillet edging (top and sides); top centre, date between two flower heads; initials in triad, repeated on each side, with two fleurs-de-lys between; flower head below each initial group; small stamp of the figure of a stag below the date.

    Notes: The initials are likely to be those of a husband (P) and wife (M) whose surname begins N. Illustration from Lenygon, p. 245.

    Inscription: 1689 / PNM PNM [both triads]

    Manufactured: in 1689 possibly in the Shropshire area of England.

    Current location: not known.

    Citation: Lenygon, F., 1914, Decoration in England (London, Batsford).

  5. 864

    ludlow_museum.jpg
    980 x 675 mm

    Description: Canted rectangle; double fillet edging (top and sides); top centre, date; initials in triad, repeated on each side, with a fleur-de-lys between; three fleurs-de-lys evenly spaced below initial groups.

    Notes: The initials are likely to be those of a husband (E) and wife (I/J) whose surname begins R.

    Inscription: 1688 / ERI ERI [both triads]

    Manufactured: in 1688 possibly in the Shropshire area of England.

    Current location: Castle Square, Ludlow, Shropshire, England.

    (part of the Ludlow Museum museum group)