Firebacks

Manufactured at Gloucester Furnace, Lamberhurst

  1. 341

    hurstpierpoint,_danny.jpg
    912 x 1110 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with ’nutshell,’ paternost edging on a broad fillet; figure of Neptune/Poseidon holding a trident in his right hand, standing on a pedestal in the centre of a circular fountain, with two hippocampi, water issuing from their mouths; in front, a mermaid swims in waves, her arms raised; behind, blasts of wind issue from clouds; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; symmetrical design of seashells suspended from chains of pearls; bottom centre, the monogram between swirled plant tendrils; on top, symmetrical floral swirls.

    Notes: Although very similar in size and design to a fireback in the 1724 series, this is not based on a design by Daniel Marot; instead it may have been inspired by the design for a fountain by Jean Lepautre (1618-82) published in a set of 12 etchings by Jean Le Blond in 1650. Almost certainly the 'iron chimney back' purchased by Henry Campion, of Danny, from John Legas for two guineas in 1731; another example, presumably from the same source, is at The Vine, near Basingstoke, Hampshire.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: SHR

    Manufactured: in the early-18th century possibly at Gloucester Furnace, Lamberhurst in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Danny House, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, England.

    Citation: Brent, C. & J., 2013, Danny House (Chichester, Phillimore), pp. 58-9.

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

  2. 415

    lewes,_sussex arch soc 049.jpg
    340 x 550 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead-and-pellet edging on a broad fillet; figure of Hera/Juno, a sceptre in her right hand, with a peacock below to her left, clouds above left; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; symmetrical arrangement of wire-work swirls; on top, two mirrored serpents.

    Notes: Similarities in the design and execution of the pattern suggest the work of the pattern-maker identified as ‘N’. Said to have been cast by Thomas Prickett (1727-95) at Gloucester Furnace, Lamberhurst.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Manufactured: in the early-18th century probably at Gloucester Furnace, Lamberhurst in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.

    Museum number: LH000.948 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)

    Citation: Dawson, C., 1903, 'Sussex Iron Work and Pottery', Sussex Archaeological Collections, 46, pp. 1-54.

    Citation: Phillips, C. T., 1894, 'Interesting additions to the museum', Sussex Archaeological Collections,39, pp. 214-5.

  3. 488

    michelham_001.jpg
    617 x 590 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular with complex quasi-arched rectangular top; fillet edging; shield with Royal arms of France in a cartouche; above, an English crown.

    Notes: The combination of the English crown and French arms is common and may relate to the marriage of Charles I and Princess Henrietta Maria of France in 1625. A different version is no. 659. Said to have been cast by Thomas Prickett (1727-95) at Gloucester Furnace, Lamberhurst. Formerly part of the J. H. Every collection.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Arms: France modern

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-17th century probably at Gloucester Furnace, Lamberhurst in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Michelham Priory, Arlington, East Sussex, England.

    Museum number: 1944.24.068 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)

    Citation: Dawson, C., 1903, 'Sussex Iron Work and Pottery', Sussex Archaeological Collections, 46, pp. 1-54.

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

    Citation: Phillips, C. T., 1894, 'Interesting additions to the museum', Sussex Archaeological Collections,39, pp. 214-5.