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: 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 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 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-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).

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; pictorial scene of Venus sitting in a couch, with two other females, swathed in drapery, a putto holding an oval mirror to her left; Arched rectangular border with fillet edging; central cartouche at top, with festoons of fruit, flowers and leaves suspended on each side from ribbons supported by rings; at the bottom, swirled ribbon around an oval compartment bearing the inscription; on top, a central cartouche from which descend a cornucopia on each side of the arch.

Notes: The design is a copy of 'The Toilet of Venus' by Simon Vouet (c.1640); the image has been reversed. The inscription indicates the style of border; other firebacks with the same inscription have the same border; similar inscriptions (e.g. L7C and L8G) indicate different borders. Von den Driesch (p.517) illustrates the same central image within an L8G border.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: L6C

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; pictorial scene of a female holding a small child, with two putti, one on each next side of her; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; central cartouche at top, with festoons of fruit, flowers and leaves suspended on each side from ribbons supported by rings; at the bottom, swirled ribbon around an oval compartment bearing the inscription; on top, a central cartouche from which descend a cornucopia on each side of the arch.

Notes: The allegorical figure of Charity; the inscription indicates the style of border; other firebacks with the same inscription have the same border; similar inscriptions (e.g. L7C and L8G) indicate different borders.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: L6C

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with canted top corners and bead-on-fillet edging; elaborate central cartouche containing the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Emperor supported by male and female figures standing on a compartment with fillet edging, containing scrolled foliage and a central fleur-d-lys; above the central cartouche, the imperial crown and swagged drapery; arched rectangular border with canted top corners and cavetto-moulded edging; symmetrical arrangement of traceried foliage; on top, central oval casket with a serpent descending on each side of the arch to a further similar casket on each shoulder of the plate.

Notes: A variation of the standard 'Dutch' style of fireback.

Description: Arched rectangular centrel panel with bead on fillet edging; pictorial scene of a seated naked female with two clothed male figures behind; in front is a pool with a fountain to the right, and platform with a vase of flowers to the left; behind, an archway and a tree; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; at the top of the arch a cartouche from which are suspended two ribbons, each held by a putto, from which cascade flowers and fruit, each lower part hung from a ring; two putti are on each side, one climbing on the suspended ribbon, the other at its foot; at the bottom, a cartouche containing the monogram between two clusters of flowers each suspended on a ribbon tied to a scroll; on top, two descending cornucopiae.

Notes: The scene is of Susanna and the Elders from the biblical Apocrypha.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: HIS

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead on fillet edging, pictorial representation of a man and woman walking, behind the woman a child holds her train and a young person carries a parasol; from behind a column on the right, a horse's head is visible, a tree stands to the left; arched rectabular border with cavetto-moulded edging; top centre, scallop shell from which descend undulating leaf fronds; on top, a pomegranate to which ascends a serpent on each side, with a further pomegranate on each shoulder of the plate.

Notes: The pictorial scene is based on an engraving c.1642 of Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg, and his wife, Luise Henriette of Oranje-Nassau, by Mathias Czwiczek; one of series of firebacks depicting allegories of the four continents.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: EVROPA