Firebacks

Description: Rectangular with fillet sides and bottom; scrolled foliage on outside edges; date in narrow rectangular panel at bottom; central pictorial representation of four historical figures (see below), three male in mid-17th century armour, and one female; tripple arched top formed of rococo scrolls, a putto forming the middle arch.

Notes: The inscription may relate to the defeat of the Spanish at s'Hertogenbosch (den Bosch - ENDE BUSH) in 1629, and Wesel. von den Driesch states that the figures, from left to right, are: Prinz Fredrik Henrik of Oranje, his daughter, Luise Henriette, Prince Maurice of Nassau, and the Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg, who married Luise Henriette. Foreign craftsmanship may account for the incorrect spelling of Dutch names.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: PRESNTZI VAN WESEL ENDE BVSH / 1667

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.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: DIE KONINCK VON SWEDEN

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead-and-pellet edging; pictorial scene of Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac, the former's hand being stayed by an angel, a ram in an adjacent thicket; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; arrangement of sunflowers linked with festoons of leaves; at bottom, swirled foliage; on top, a scallop shell between mirrored swirled foliage.

Notes: The scene is from the Old Testament - Genesis 22: 12; a popular subject on firebacks.

Description: Arched rectangular shape with arch; bead-on-fillet edging within a cavetto-moulded border; pictorial representation of a man and woman in the dress of the mid 17th century, with a fruit tree between them.

Notes: The significance of this design has not been satisfactorily explained. Carpentier suggests it may be a contemporary depiction of Adam and Eve.

Copies of this fireback are known.

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.

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.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: PAPEGEI

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; pictorial scene of two putti bent over a central anvil, with a third putto above; below are martial symbols (cannon, banners etc.); in the arch the word 'PAX', and in the shoulders of the panel, the date in two parts; arched rectangular boreder with fillet edging, and foliage draped from the top; on top, a pomegranate to which ascends a serpent on each side, with a further pomegranate on each shoulder of the plate.

Notes: The scene may be intended to represent the infant Vulcan.

Inscription: PAX / 16 79

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.

Copies of this fireback are known.

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

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging terminating at the top in two loops, gather drapery and a scallop shell; two figures to the right, both bearded, the one kneeling wears cavalry armour, a cloak and a crown, the other stands behind; to the left is a sacrificial pyre on which an ox carcass burns, and above an angel carrying a sword in his right hand and a skull in his left; around this is an arched rectangular border with fillet edging and a repeated leaf pattern; on top is a scallop shell between two dolphins.

Notes: The scene illustrates the visitation of the pestilence on Israel described in 2 Samuel 24, and the sacrifice of an oxen by King David; the skull borne by the angel represents the death of those struck down by the plague. A slightly different version has the face of David looking up at the angel (no. 424).

Copies of this fireback are known.

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.