Firebacks

Manufactured in England

886 results

  1. 1293

    parham_004,_.jpg
    725 x 425 mm

    Description: Rectangular shape; no edging; raised fillets along the top and bottom, and diagonally in both directions between them, upon each of which are embossed ANO DO ANO DO 1624, although the spacing differs on each fillet, the certainty of this repetition is concealed in some parts by indistinct casting, and in at least one instance a colon is inserted before the date. The inscription on the top edge is inverted. Behind the intersection of the two diagonal fillets is what might be a figure holding a linear object over its right shoulder.

    Notes: Clearly intended to be commemorative although for what is not known. Its small dimensions indicate that could have been intended as a plaque rather than a fireback, although the indistinct inscription on the bottom edge could have resulted from corrosion by fire.

    Inscription: ANO DO ANO DO [:] 1624 [x4]

    Manufactured: in 1624 possibly in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Parham House, Parham, West Sussex, England.

  2. 1294

    parham_005.jpg
    757 x 440 mm

    Description: Rectangular shape; cavetto-moulded edging (top and sides only); top left, initials IL and top right, 1697.

    Notes: The style of lettering and numerals indicate that this is a casting from a larger group produced between the late-1660s and late 1690s.

    Inscription: IL 1697

    Manufactured: in 1697 in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Parham House, Parham, West Sussex, England.

  3. 211

    penhalvean,_kernow_furniture_530x560.jpg
    530 x 560 mm

    Description: Rectangular with arched, mirrored, scrolls on top, a cartouche scallop shell between; fillet edging; between two trees, three soldiers in Roman dress, holding either pikes, swords or shields, one on a plinth; at the bottom, a separate rectangular panel with mirrored scrolled foliage.

    Notes: Possibly intended to represent the Horatii who, according to Livy, defeated the Curiatii.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Manufactured: in the early-18th century in England.

    Current location: Kernow Furniture, Penhalvean Pottery, Penhalvean, Cornwall, England.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).

  4. 509

    penhurst,_church farm 02.jpg
    605 x 840 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel with astragal and fillet edging; Phaëton riding Apollo’s chariot across the skies, the sun to the left behind clouds, a lion on ground below, between two trees; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; trailing convolvulus leaves surround the central panel; on top, earl’s coronet above an illegible character, between mirrored, swirled foliage.

    Notes: The illustration upon which the design has been based has not been identified, save that it figures in book II of Ovid's Metamorphoses. The convolvulus border is a common feature of this series of firebacks and can be compared with other. The wooden pattern from which this casting was made survives in the collection of the Sussex Archaeological Society (no. 928).

    Manufactured: in the early-18th century at Ashburnham Furnace in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Penhurst Manor, Penhurst, East Sussex, England.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).

    Citation: Whistler, R. F., 1888, 'Penhurst: being some account of its Iron Works, Manor House, Church, etc.,' Sussex Archaeological Collections, 36, pp. 1-18.

  5. 510

    penhurst,_church farm 03.jpg
    605 x 835 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel with astragal and fillet edging; to the left, Æneäs carrying his father, Anchises; to the right, an arched gateway and portcullis beneath battlements with flames rising therefrom; above left, clouds; far left, a tree; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; trailing convolvulus leaves surround the central panel; plain rectangular extensions to the bottom and each side; on top, mirrored, swirled foliage.

    Notes: Many of the early illustrated editions of Ovid’s Metamorphoses show Æneäs escaping from burning Troy, with his father on his back, most of them with an archway in the background.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: TAN

    Manufactured: in the early-18th century at Ashburnham Furnace in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Penhurst Manor, Penhurst, East Sussex, England.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).

    Citation: Whistler, R. F., 1888, 'Penhurst: being some account of its Iron Works, Manor House, Church, etc.,' Sussex Archaeological Collections, 36, pp. 1-18.

  6. 907

    penhurst,_doctors farm.jpg
    900 x 910 mm

    Description: Rectangular; simulated twisted rope edging; top centre, shield, baron's coronet, supporters and crest; in each top corner, heraldic badge - a Sea Lion holding an anchor.

    Notes: The arms are of Sir Hudson Ewbanke Kearley, Bt., 1st Baron Devonport (1856-1934); created 1910, he was elevated to Viscount in 1917, thus the fireback would have been cast between 1910 and 1917. Blazon: Azure in chief two Mitres Argent garnished Or and in base a Square Tower of the second, a baronet's badge in chief; Supporters: On either side a Sea Lion Argent crined finned and tufted Or each gorged with a Collar Gules charged with three Roses of the second and each supporting a Spear erect proper; Crest: An Ancient Ship Or the Mainsail Azure charged with a Sea Lion of the first; Motto: Fit Via Vi (The way is made through strength). A version with the same arms and badges has an arched rectangular shape and plain edging.

    Inscription: FIT VIA VI

    Arms: Hudson Ewbanke Kearley, 1st Baron Devonport (later 1st Viscount)

    Manufactured: in the early-20th century in England.

    Current location: in private hands, Penhurst, East Sussex, England.

  7. 508

    penhurst_church farm 01.jpg
    1680 x 950 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular shape; no edging; top centre, crowned capital ‘A’; date divided at top corners of plate; single six-pointed star outside date.

    Notes: Earl’s coronet denotes the Earl of Ashburnham, furnace owner; the furnace was blown out for the last time in late February 1813, this fireback being reputedly the last casting from a Wealden furnace. One of a small series of firebacks cast in the early-19th century for farms on the Ashburnham estate.

    Inscription: * 18 A 13 *

    Manufactured: in 1813 at Ashburnham Furnace in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: in private hands, Penhurst, East Sussex, England.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).

  8. 511

    penshurst_01.jpg
    940 x 710 mm

    Description: Rectangular with semi-circular protrusions on the top and sides; cavetto edging; a pheon (a downward-pointing arrow head barbed on the inner edge), within a wreath, an earl’s coronet above; the date on either side of the coronet; the initials on left and right sides; a fleur de lys in each bottom corner.

    Notes: The wreathed pheon and coronet are cast from a different pattern to the 1626 and 1630 plates.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: 16 47 / R L

    Manufactured: in 1647 possibly at Robertsbridge Furnace, Salehurst in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Kent, England.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).

  9. 512

    penshurst_03.jpg
    435 x 433 mm

    Description: Double arched rectangular shaped; ovolo edging; central clock dial with Roman numerals separated by stops, sunburst inside, single hand with fleur de lys pointer; teardrop weights, with finials above, suspended from each side; symmetrical tendrils above; date split below dial.

    Notes: One of the ‘hooked 1’ series of firebacks; two versions exist of this fireback, the other without finials above the suspended weights.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: I · II · III · IIII · V · VI · VII · VIII · IX · X · XI · XII / 16 5 [..]

    Manufactured: in 1652 possibly at Brede Furnace in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Kent, England.

    Citation: Gardner, J. S., 1898, 'Iron Casting in the Weald', Archaeologia, 56, 1, pp. 133-164.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2007, 'A Godly chimney plate and other firebacks from Brede', Wealden Iron, 2nd ser., 27, pp. 18-26.

  10. 513

    penshurst_04.jpg
    1345 x 605 mm

    Description: Rectangular; complex (astragal & fillet/cavetto) moulded edging; initials across top, between split date.

    Inscription: 16 WSG 98 [‘S’ reversed]

    Manufactured: in 1698 in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Kent, England.