Firebacks

Description: 'Dutch' style; arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead edging, two children sitting astride a beast (possibly a winged ram); arched rectangular shaped border, fillet edging, swags of fruit bunches suspended from ribbon; on top, symmetrical floral swirls and flowers.

Notes: The image is probably intended to be Phryxus and Helle riding the winged ram with the golden fleece, but in recasting it has been misinterpreted as the young Samson slaying the lion at Timnath; Judges 14: 5-6.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 16 NDW 97 / DER IUNGE SAMSON [the young Samson]

Description: Canted rectangular shape; twisted rope edging (top and sides); top left, date 1622; top right, initials T H.

Notes: The surface excrescences on the lower half of the fireback are likely to have resulted from the displacement of the casting sand by the pouring of the iron. Formerly at Marden Hill House, Tewin, Hertfordshire. There is no basis for the suggestion by Hertford Museum that this fireback might have been cast by a Thomas Hogge.

Inscription: 1622 T H

Description: Rectangular; plain edge; top centre, ring between repeated lion's head between repeated narrow human figure with folded arms standing on a bracket; below each figure, a small bracket.

Notes: The figures are indistinct and are disproportionately small for the size of the firebacks; from Isfield Place 1921.

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; suspended from the top, by a ribbon, a ring with a parrot perched thereon, biting a twig in its right claw; below left is a seated child; around this panel is an arched rectangular border with fillet edging containing floral swags hung on ribbons suspended from rings; on top, two serpents.

Notes: A common design among firebacks produced in Germany for the Dutch market.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead on fillet edging, narrow-necked urn with flowers issuing therefrom; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging and symmetrical floral swags; on top, stylised fish with floral accessories; at bottom, two looped 'W' figures between split date in bottom corners.

Notes: The second smallest of five flower vase designs in this series. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead on fillet edging, narrow-necked urn with flowers issuing therefrom; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging and symmetrical floral festoons; on top, stylised fish with floral accessories; at bottom, two looped 'W' figures between date split between bottom corners.

Notes: The smallest of five flower vase designs in this series. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 24

Description: Rectangular; ovolo-moulded edging (top and sides); date (in two parts) split across upper part of plate.

Notes: A recasting

Inscription: 17 25

Description: Arched rectangular shape with small rhomboidal flanges in the corners of the arch; cavetto moulded edge on all sides, with a rose stamp on each curved enlargement of the moulding in the top corners; Stuart royal arms (1605-88, 1702-14) with lion and unicorn supporters, garter, crown and motto.

Notes: A recasting.

Inscription: [Garter and royal mottoes]

Arms: English Stuart royal

Description: Rectangular shape; wide fillet and ogee-moulded edging; approximately top centre, initials RH, with date 1701 centred below.

Notes: A heavy casting, approx. 3cm thick; the character set for the initials and date lacks uniformity, some carved crudely, others more carefully; three horizontal planklines. Formerly in a house at Netherfield, East Sussex.

Inscription: RH / 1701

Description: Rectangular; fillet edging (top and sides, except c.100mm at bottom of each side); arrangement of a circular butter print with fleur de lys design, repeated four times: one in each top corner, and two evenly spaced across the middle of the plate; a single circular butter print stamp with a heart-shaped design in the middle top position.

Notes: The fleur de lys stamp can also be seen on a fireback at Nymans, Handcross; one of the Pounsley series of firebacks.