Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular shape; gdrooned edging (top and sides); initials, in separate stamps, at top of arch; date probably in separate stamps, below, split by spindle; spindle used as a stamp repeated three times, one between date and initial stamps, the other two below to left and right.

Notes: The same base board and spindle have been used for other firebacks of the same period.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: I W / 16 22

Description: Canted rectangular shape; braided rope edging (top and sides); top centre, initials 'TSE' in triad, above centred date.

Notes: The use of braided rope edging is unusual. The fireback was formerly in a house in Westmoreland associated with the Salkeld family.

Inscription: TSE [triad] / 1612

Description: Rectangular plate with plain ovolo-moulded edging, superimposed by a fireback with, on top, arched mirrored scrolls surrounding a scallop shell, and below, a conversational scene of a man and woman seated at a small table with a soldier standing to the right and a building and servant behind to the right.

Notes: A composite fireback presumably intended to extend the width of an existing small one; rivets repair a crack.

Description: Arched rectangular shape; ovolo moulded edging; Tudor royal shield, garter, crown, motto and supporters (crowned lion and dragon), temp. Elizabeth I; initials in space on either side of top of garter; the top of the lion's crown and the dragon's ear overlap the edging.

Notes: The initials have been added to an early recasting; another version has a rose and portcullis either side of the crown, and the top of the lion's crown and the dragon's ear do not overlap the edging.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: I G / [Garter] HONI SOIT QVI MAL E PENSE / [motto] DIEV ET MON DROIT

Arms: Tudor royal

Description: Rectangular with 5-facetted arch; twisted rope edging; centre top, rectangular stamp, over-pressed, with crown above initials in bottom corners; diamond shaped stamp with fleur-de-lys repeated each side of crown, both over-pressed.

Notes: Notable for the large size of the fleur-de-lys stamp; this casting differs from another (no. 486) in the placement of the stamps.

Inscription: E R

Description: Arched rectangular shape; cavetto-moulded edging; central, two handled, gadrooned vase with swirled, fruited vines issuing from the neck, and a bird on each side perched within the vines; out of the neck, a naïve human figure with arms outstretched, grasping vines on each side.

Notes: The figure emerging from the vase has a symbolism which has yet to be explained; more than one version of this fireback exists. A copy.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Rectangular shape; twisted rope edging (top and sides); upper centre, two evenly-spaced, medium-sized twisted rope crosses.

Notes: Formerly (1950) at Maidstone, Kent. Illustration from Schubert, 1950.

Description: Arched rectangular shaped; fillet edging with embattled relief inside; shield, helm, crest and mantling of the Blacksmiths' Company. RN monogram in top right corner.

Notes: Arms of the Blacksmiths' company: Sable, a chevron Or between three hammers Argent and crowned with open crowns of the second; crest: a phoenix in flames rising proper. The arms were granted in 1611. Several different versions of these arms are to be found on firebacks. The attribution of this fireback to the series usually identified by the monogram RN is tentative, it being a copy and a substantial amount of surface detail imperfectly rendered.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Arms: Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths

Description: Arched rectangular shape; twisted rope edging (top, and sides short of bottom), with shoulder edging extending into base of arch; upper centre, date '1602' slanting down to right; below date, initials 'IPD' in triad.

Notes: The initials are likely to be those of a couple whose surname begins with 'P'.

Inscription: 1602 / I P D [triad]

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with hollow bead edging; a putto, its head inclined to its left, standing on a platform, holding a wand in its right hand and a branch in its left hand, a flower in a pot is on each side, and above, swagged drapery; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging; swirled flowers and tendrils symmetrically arranged, with SHR monogram at centre bottom; two mirrored stylised sea serpents on top; to each side a vertical extension with bead edging, of the same decoration as the side borders.

Notes: The figure depicted is probably emblematic although the meaning has yet to be determined. The frame of the central panel and the enclosing border are identical to those noted on another fireback displaying a figure of Pluto (see fireback no. 164). This may be an example of an image from one casting being superimposed within the frame of an earlier fireback. The border is identical to that seen on fireback no. 1220.

Inscription: SHR