Firebacks

Edging: fillet

233 results

  1. 674

    saffron_walden museum 02.jpg
    705 x 968 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead edging; pictorial scene of a seated female figure resting against a hurdle, holding an anchor, a child on each side of her, the one on the left standing clutching corn stalks, the one on the right sitting also holding the anchor and a circular object; a bird sits on a post; 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, an empty cartouche between two clusters of flowers each suspended on a ribbon tied to a scroll; on top, two descending cornucopiae.

    Notes: The figure represents Hope. The theft in 1699 from a Thames-side warehouse of several firebacks, including '3 of Hope with an Anchor' may refer to this type (Post Boy 11-14 Nov. 1699).

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.

    Current location: Saffron Walden Museum, Saffron Walden, Essex, England.

    Museum number: 1889-9 (part of the Saffron Walden Museum museum group)

  2. 676

    saffron_walden museum 04.jpg
    386 x 650 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel; bead-and-pellet edging; scene showing a semi-naked figure holding a trident in his right hand and a sheaf of corn in his raised left hand; standing on ground, with swagged drapery and tassels above, and an anchor behind right; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; on top, scallop shell symmetrical descending arrangement of swirled fronds and shells, which continue on the bottom; monogram at bottom centre; on top, mirrored stylised sea monsters.

    Notes: The figure is Neptune, one of a set of 'Eight Deities' engraved by Hendrick Goltzius (1592), after Polidoro da Caravaggio; the fireback is one of a large group bearing the same initials, which probably denotes the pattern maker. Other groups may have been the work of the same carver or workshop. The execution is rather crude.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: SHR

    Manufactured: in the late 17th to early 18th century in England.

    Current location: Saffron Walden Museum, Saffron Walden, Essex, England.

    Museum number: 1889-35 (part of the Saffron Walden Museum museum group)

  3. 678

    saffron_walden museum 06.jpg
    298 x 485 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular main panel; fillet edging; nude female figure standing on shield and holding a wind-blown sheet, upon a ground; suspended floral garlands with swirled foliage above; on top, a scallop shell between two symmetrical sea serpents

    Notes: The figure is of Fortune. The theft in 1699 from a Thames-side warehouse of several firebacks, including '5 iron Chimney-Backs cast in the figure of Fortune standing naked on a Conchus in the Sea' may refer to this type (Post Boy 11-14 Nov. 1699).

    Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century possibly in the Siegerland area of Germany.

    Current location: Saffron Walden Museum, Saffron Walden, Essex, England.

    Museum number: 1901-39 (part of the Saffron Walden Museum museum group)

  4. 1173

    sherborne,_macintosh_antiques_610x864.jpg
    610 x 864 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead on broad fillet edging; pictorial scene of Neptune/Poseidon, a trident in hand, in a chariot drawn through the waves by two 'sea horses', above are clouds and three birds; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; diagonal grid forming squares, in each one of two types of flower arranged in alternate lines; at the bottom, the letter W in a cartouche between swirled foliage; on top, mirrored swirled foliage issuing upwards from a mythical creature on each shoulder.

    Notes: There is some question as to whether this is a later pastiche of an early-eighteenth century style,

    Inscription: W

    Manufactured: in the late 17th to early 18th century in England.

    Current location: Macintosh Antiques, The Courtyard, Newland, Sherborne, Dorset, England.

    Citation: Evans, F., 1957, 'Sussex Firebacks', Daily Mail Ideal Home Book 1957 (London, Daily Mail), pp. 113-115.

  5. 998

    shuffrey_(1912) pl 66 brede place a.jpg
    ? x ? mm

    Description: Arched rectangular shape; fillet edging with a wider fillet within upon which are regularly-spaced beads each set on disc and joined by a thin line; shield, Garter, helm, mantling, crown and lion crest, with crowned lion and unicorn supporters; metal strapping around main rectangle.

    Notes: A damaged example with unusual supporting bands. Formerly at Brede Place, East Sussex.

    Inscription: HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE

    Arms: English Stuart royal

    Manufactured: in the early to mid 17th century possibly in the Weald area of England.

    Current location:, not known.

    Citation: Shuffrey, L. A., 1912, The English Fireplace, London, Batsford.

  6. 1082

    skinner_14 aug 2016 lot 226 394x565.jpg
    394 x 565 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel; fillet edging; pictorial scene of a phoenix rising from a fire; above right, a human mask at the centre of a sunburst; arched rectangular border with fillet edging, the date between initials along the bottom; down each side, a floral festoon hanging from a ring; over the arch, the inscription; on top, floral scrolls.

    Notes: The inscription translates as 'out of death, immortality'; the initials NL are likely to be those of the pattern maker. Skinner's, Marlborough, Massachusetts, auction 14 Aug 2016 lot 226.

    Inscription: EX MORTE IMMORTALITAS / N 1696 L

    Manufactured: in 1696 possibly in the Siegerland area of Germany.

    Current location:, not known.

  7. 1143

    soudley,_dean heritage centre 03a.jpg
    >675 x >915 mm

    Description: Fragment, left side missing; arched rectangular shape; fillet edging (top and sides visible); initials IG widely spaced in arch.

    Notes: Previously at Bream Court Farm, Newland, Gloucestershire.

    Inscription: I G

    Manufactured: in the 17th century possibly in the Forest of Dean area of England.

    Current location: Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, Gloucestershire, England.

    Citation: Mullin, D., 1989, 'Two Firebacks', The New Regard, Forest of Dean Local History Society, 5, pp. 47-50.

  8. 1079

    stoke-on-trent,_ford green hall.jpg
    ?610 x ?560 mm

    Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shape; fillet edging, indented on the inner edge; pictorial representation of a phoenix rising from flames, date split either side of its neck; the lateral edges are wide in relation to the top, from which the arch rises from two loop and is surmounted by a fleur-de-lys; above each shoulder of the plate, a roundel.

    Notes: The looped fillet edging is rarely seen and does not seem to be diagnostic of a particular pattern-maker.

    Inscription: 16 77

    Manufactured: in 1677 possibly in the Staffordshire area of England.

    Current location: Ford Green Hall, Ford Green Road, Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England.

    (part of the Stoke-on-Trent Museums museum group)

  9. 695

    stratford,_nashs house 02.jpg
    ? x ? mm

    Description: Rectangular; fillet edging (top and sides only); top centre, date formed of individual letter stamps; below date, initials carved as single stamp, overstamped and showing v-shaped extension below.

    Notes: The reason for the unusual shape of the base of the initial stamp is not understood.

    Inscription: 1616 / WC

    Manufactured: in 1616 in England.

    Current location: Nash's House, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.

    (part of the Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust museum group)

  10. 696

    stratford,_nashs house 03a.jpg
    ? x ? mm

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel with nutshell edging on a broad fillet; pictorial scene of a standing, winged male figure draped with a cloth, holding a staff in his left hand, above a ground, and with drapery over; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; alternating acanthus leaves with swirled tendrils; on top, two mirrored sea serpents.

    Notes: Presumably intended to represent an angel; similarities in the design and execution of the pattern suggest the work of the pattern-maker identified as ‘N’ (q.v.); the missing segment had been filled with a piece from another fireback (removed in this photo).

    Manufactured: in the early 18th century in England.

    Current location: Nash's House, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England.

    (part of the Shakespeare's Birthplace Trust museum group)