Firebacks

Description: Rectangular; cavetto-moulded edging; shield, helm, crest, supporters, mantling and motto of the Worshipful Company of Clothworkers: Sable a chevron ermine between in chief two Havettes Argent and in base a Teazel Cob Or; crest: on a Mount vert a Ram statant Or; supporters: two Griffins Or pellettée.

Notes: The arms as displayed were granted in 1587; the same fireback was also used as a stamp for a large fireback of 1659 in Haslemere Museum (no. 108). Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Arms: Worshipful Company of Clothworkers

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. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Copies of this fireback are known.

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

Description: Rectangular with three arches, the middle one larger than the outer two; cavetto-moulded edging; bottom panel, pictorial scene of Jesus and the woman of Samaria at the well (John 4), with other figures, buildings etc. in the background, illegible text below; centre arch, shield, helm, crest and mantling of unidentified arms, the initials 'GP' in bottom corners; left arch, probable figure of a saint; right arch, probable figure of a soldier. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Notes: The combination of a biblical scene (John 4) with a coat of arms.

Inscription: 16 30 / G P

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. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

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. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

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. Mitford collection, Petworth House.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: EVROPA

Description: Arched rectangular shape; cavetto-moulded edging; figure in mid-17th century armour, sword in belt, riding a prancing horse; initials split, below corners of arch, in front of horse’s head and behind rider’s back.

Notes: Probably intended to represent Charles I in memoriam, as other firebacks in this style date from the end of the Commonwealth period. Mitford collection, Petworth House. Copies of this fireback were advertised in the Wayte & Cheverton (Edenbridge) catalogue in the early-20th century, and inferior copies in Kings Worthy Foundry's (Winchester) catalogue in the mid-20th century.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: [C missing] R

Description: Arch-shaped, with rounded-arched extension at top; cavetto moulded edge all round; five vertical planklines; arms of the Francis (or Franceis) family of Derbyshire: Argent a Chevron gules between three Eagles displayed of the same; Crest: an eagle displayed on a crowned knight’s helm; initials in bottom corners; date below shield.

Notes: Probably the arms of Sir Edward Francis, who was Seneschal of the Petworth House estate and took overall charge in 1606 when the 9th Earl of Northumberland was committed to the Tower of London for his alledged involvement in the Gunpowder Plot.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: E 1606 F

Arms: Sir Edward Francis

Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shaped; unique, cavetto-moulded edging, which loops upon itself three times. A mythical salamander shown in the flames which legend states it is able to resist; behind is what appears to be a palm tree.

Notes: Other known variants are dated; this variant confirms that the dates were added to subsequent castings. Corrosion to the bottom right corner may have obliterated a letter 'M' seen on another casting; presumably part of 'IM'.

Description: Arched rectangular shape; cavetto-moulded edging; English royal coronet with three ostrich feathers rising from within; below, a motto scroll with inscription.

Notes: The badge of the Prince of Wales; the initials, CP, are probably for Carolus Princep; the motto is mis-spelled in error for 'Ich Dien' - I serve, which is more likely a mistranscription rather than a deliberate slur. The apparent crack in the angle of the arch and the top left of the fireback is an impression, indicating that this is a recasting.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: C P/ICH LIEN