Firebacks

Description: Rectangular; flanged edging; two panels, each with fillet edging; upper panel, two shields, each with helm and crest, between narrow twisted columns, with tracery above and a twisted horizontal pole on top; lower panel, same shields and twisted columns with a crossed vine design above and the same pole on top.

Notes: Probably arms of locksmiths' and masons' guilds.

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; pictorial scene of Venus sitting in a couch, with two other females, swathed in drapery, a putto holding an oval mirror to her left; Arched rectangular border with fillet edging; central cartouche at top, with festoons of fruit, flowers and leaves suspended on each side from ribbons supported by rings; at the bottom, swirled ribbon around an oval compartment bearing the inscription; on top, a central cartouche from which descend a cornucopia on each side of the arch.

Notes: The design is a copy of 'The Toilet of Venus' by Simon Vouet (c.1640); the image has been reversed. The inscription, L8G, indicates the style of border; other firebacks with the same inscription have the same border; similar inscriptions (e.g. L6C and L7C) indicate different borders. Image from von den Driesch, p.517.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: L8G