-
1128
Description: Quasi-arched shape with forward-facing 'wings', which splay outwards towards the base; the 'wings' curve to follow the shape of the main panel but curl outwards at the top; central panel with pictorial image of, to the right, a shepherd holding a musical pipe, his right foot upon a log, upon which a dog, to the left, sits holding the shepherd's crook; top centre, a crown, on either side of which, on the curled upper parts of the 'wings', is an inward facing sheep.
Notes: This small, but unusual, casting was probably cast in an open box mould as the upcast (reverse) side of the casting shows evidence of being sand-treated. Only a very small number of such castings are known. Depth 210mm
- Decoration tags:
- free-standing (shape)
- none (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- heraldic
- pictorial
- animals
- humans
- plants
- objects
Manufactured: in the late 17th to early 18th century in England.
Current location: 21 Nederstraat, Amerongen, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Netherlands.
- Attached to series:
- Free-standing firebacks
-
201
Description: Rectangular; moulded fillet edging on top and sides; TCI, also arranged symmetrically, in a widely spaced triad; below, symmetrical layout of central rose and crown between two concentric roundels, with two fleurs-de-lys outside.
Notes: The style of rose and crown is similar to that used in gun founding in the Tudor period, suggesting that the furnace that was the source of this fireback may have been used for that purpose. Formerly at Baynards Park, Cranleigh, Surrey.
Inscription: 16 T C I [triad] 70
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- complex, furniture-derived (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- royal
- text
Manufactured: in 1670 in the Weald area of England.
Current location:.
- Attached to series:
- 1660s-90s Wealden series
- Date & initials firebacks
-
971
Description: Canted rectangle; fillet edging (top and sides); top centre, date between two 'rose' stamps.
Notes: The four nuts are to secure the fireback to two legs.
Inscription: 1658
- Decoration tags:
- canted rectangular (shape)
- fillet (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual numbers
- text
- plants
Manufactured: in 1658 in England.
Current location: Red Lodge, Park Row, Bristol, England.
Museum number: NX412 (part of the Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Date only firebacks
-
229
Description: Rectangular with superimposed arch; embattled, cavetto moulded edging, with the top edge of the rectangle interrupted; shield, garter, crown, supporters and motto of the English Royal house of Stuart; rose and thistle plants above lion and unicorn supporters respectively; initials split by crown; date below garter.
Notes: A different version is at Newick Park, Sussex.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: I R / HONI S OIT QVI MAL Y ..ENSE / 16 19
Arms: English Stuart royal
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- embattled cavetto (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- armorial
- royal
- text
Manufactured: in 1619 in England.
Current location: National History Museum, St Fagans, Glamorgan, Wales.
Museum number: 48.354/85 (part of the Welsh National History Museum museum group)
-
1100
Description: Quasi-rectangular shape with inward curving sides; twisted rope edging (top and sides); arrangement of fleurs-de-lys: top centre, four in a star formation with two horizontally below; two vertically to left and right; vertical dagger, pommel to base, stamped twice inside outer fleurs.
Notes: A uniquely shaped fireback with fleurs and daggers (each about 35cm long) seen on other firebacks.
- Decoration tags:
- quasi-rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- simple stamps
- carved stamps
- heraldic
- objects
Manufactured: in the mid 16th century in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Sackville College, Church Lane, East Grinstead, West Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Royal series
- Knife & Dagger stamp firebacks
-
75
Description: Rectangular; ovolo moulded edging (top and sides); 14 impressions of a fleur de lys, arranged in three horizontal rows (5-4-5), carefully spaced.
Notes: The same fleur de lys stamp has been noted on several firebacks, indicating a common source.
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- carved stamps
- heraldic
Manufactured: in the mid to late 16th century possibly at Pounsley Furnace, Framfield in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Groombridge, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Pounsley series
-
90
Description: Rectangular; ovolo moulded edging (top and sides); eight impressions of a fleur de lys, arranged in three horizontal rows (3-2-3), carefully spaced.
Notes: The same fleur de lys stamp has been noted on several firebacks, indicating a common source.
Copies of this fireback are known.
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- carved stamps
- heraldic
- objects
Manufactured: in the mid to late 16th century possibly at Pounsley Furnace, Framfield in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Hampton Court, Richmond, Greater London, England.
(part of the Royal Collection museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Pounsley series
-
107
Description: Rectangle with two similar rectangular extensions at top extremities; rope edging (top and sides); on top extensions, two stamps of a dragon and lion supporting a rose and crown, with crowned shield bearing a fleur de lys below; central date with rose and crown below; initials TM vertically placed inside middle left edge, initial I middle right; initials I and A at lower left and right.
Notes: The initials, TM and I, may relate to a married couple, the first two letters to their first names and the last to their surname; the initials IA may be of the founder as they appear in the same arrangement on other firebacks. The unusual shape would probably have been determined by the structure of the hearth for which it was made; the rose and crown and supporters stamp can also be seen on a large fireback, dated 1593, formerly at Baynard's Park, Surrey; the date and IA stamps can be seen, in identical form, on a fireback in the Victoria & Albert Museum, and on firebacks illustrated by Lower, suggesting a common source for all of these firebacks.
Inscription: TM 1582 I / I A
- Decoration tags:
- rectangle with rectangular extensions (shape)
- rope (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- royal
- text
Manufactured: in 1582 possibly at Pounsley Furnace, Framfield in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Haslemere Educational Museum, Haslemere, Surrey, England.
(part of the Haslemere Educational Museum museum group)
Citation: Anon., 1929, 'An interesting fireback', Sussex Notes and Queries, 2, 8 , p. 242.
- Attached to series:
- 1582 IA series
- Pounsley series
-
192
Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and sides); irregular arrangement of four stamps in three rows: face mask with ?crown and ruff (3), flower head with four petals and leaflets (4), fleur de lys (5), and profile of a head with 'Roman' crest (2); initials replace stamps in top corners.
Notes: A larger variant, undated and with other initials but the same four stamps, is also known.
Inscription: TBI I•A•1•6•1•8 / TA S
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- text
- humans
- plants
Manufactured: in 1618 possibly in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Godolphin House, Helston, Cornwall, England.
Museum number: 169481 (part of the National Trust museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Primitive stamp series
-
377
Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead on fillet edging and two tassels hanging from top of arch; pictorial image of a cherub with arrows in both hands sitting on a phoenix; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; scallop shell at top with descending ribbons and fruit clusters; date and monogram below central panel; bottom panel with inscription; on top, two sea serpents, with open buds on shoulders of recatngle.
Notes: The customary monogram on such firebacks is NDV. Several anglicised versions of this type of fireback exist. Formerly part of the J. H. Every collection.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: 17 NDW 01 / VOGEL PHOENIX [bird phoenix]
- Decoration tags:
- 'Dutch' (shape)
- fillet (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- mythological
- text
- humans
Manufactured: in 1701 in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: 1944.24.087 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' NDW series