Firebacks

405mm tall

  1. 973

    bristol,_red lodge museum 03.jpg
    485 x 405 mm

    Description: Canted rectangle; fillet edging (top and sides); date to full width across centre of plate.

    Notes: Bold, evenly-spaced numerals.

    Inscription: 1688

    Manufactured: in 1688 in England.

    Current location: Red Lodge, Park Row, Bristol, England.

    Museum number: NX1064 (part of the Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives museum group)

  2. 115

    hastings_005.jpg
    660 x 405 mm

    Description: Plain rectangular plate with cross formed of a single length of twisted rope placed twice.

    Notes: Despite the simple form, the likely Christian symbolism is very evident. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

    Manufactured: in the 16th century in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, John's Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings, East Sussex, England.

    Museum number: HASMG: 1952.51.17 (part of the Hastings Museum museum group)

  3. 837

    shuffrey_(1912) p139 fig 134.jpg
    ~520 x ~405 mm

    Description: Canted rectangle; cavetto-moulded edging; three horizontal strips bearing a fine repeated ribbing: one horizontal below canted corners, and two vertical strips parallel to each side, dividing the fireback into two side panels, two top corner panels, top panel and main central panel; top corner panels, a plant stamp repeated in each; top panel, date between a repeated plant stamp; side panels, fleur-de-lys stamp repeated twice on each side in a vertical arrangement, a single plant stamp below, above an initial 'I' on the left and 'B' on the right; central panel plain.

    Notes: The 'daisy' stamp, fleurs-de-lys and the IB initials are found on other backs in a distinct series. Illustration from Shuffrey 1912, p.139, and formerly part of the author's personal collection.

    Inscription: 1710 / I B

    Manufactured: in 1710 in the Forest of Dean area of England.

    Current location: not known.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., Autumn 2020, 'A Series of Distinctive Firebacks', Base Thoughts, Newsletter of the Antique Metalware Society, pp. 7-8.

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