Firebacks

545mm tall

  1. 292

    flaxley_abbey 02.jpg
    755 x 545 mm

    Description: Rectangular; cavetto-moulded edging; top centre, date, above initials; two low-relief fleurs de lys down each side from top corners, and central fleur below and between the initials.

    Notes: The initials may relate to William Boevey who was owner of Flaxley furnace from 1683-92. Another fireback with the same date and initials, and more fleurs, is also known.

    Inscription: 1685 / W B

    Manufactured: in 1685 at Flaxley Furnace in the Forest of Dean area of England.

    Current location: Flaxley Abbey, Flaxley, Gloucestershire, England.

    Citation: Bick, D. E. [incorrectly printed as Bick, R.], Sept 1985, 'Firebacks', Period Homes, pp. 21-4.

  2. 435

    lewes,_sussex arch soc 075.jpg
    1206 x 545 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular (damaged top left corner); plain plate; centre top, a circle of twisted rope enclosing a shield, indented at the top, charged with a bird upon a branch; on each side, a cross of twisted rope above two splayed lengths of rope.

    Notes: The rope design is likely to be apotropaic; the heavily pitted reverse of this fireback shows the use of poor quality iron cast at a relatively low temperature; the bird shield stamp has been seen on other firebacks.

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-16th century in the Weald area of England.

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

    (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)

    Citation: Easton, T. & Hodgkinson, J. S., 2013, 'Apotropaic Symbols on Cast-Iron Firebacks', Jnl. of the Antique Metalware Soc., 21, pp. 14-33.

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

  3. 835

    unknown_33 330x545.jpg
    330 x 545 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular central panel with fillet edging; poorly modelled standing figure possibly of Diana, goddess of hunting, holding a bow in her left hand and an arrow in her right hand, on a low plinth; border with fillet edging along sides and bottom, with mirrored vine tendril and leaves on each side; date split either side of leaves at bottom; on top, symmetrical swirled foliate arrangement.

    Notes: A characteristic small fireback from the period of the changeover to coal-fired domestic heating.

    Inscription: 17 33

    Manufactured: in 1733 in England.

    Current location: not known.

  4. 1313

    worth,_saxon_road_05.jpg
    690 x 545 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; in each top corner panel a flower head stamp; top panel, date between a repeated double fleur-de-lys stamp; in each side panel, a stamp formed of an arrangement of scrolled tendrils, with a double fleur-de-lys stamp below; central panel, a flower head stamp in each top corner.

    Notes: The divided structure of the decoration and the use of flower head and double fleur stamps places this fireback in the series identified on some castings with the initials IB. The tendril decoration in the side panels has not been seen on other backs in the series.

    Inscription: 1702

    Manufactured: in 1702 in the Forest of Dean area of England.

    Current location: in private hands, Crawley, West Sussex, England.