Firebacks

Description: Low arched central panel with fillet edging; on a square frame in perspective, a small gadrooned pot with flowers, including daffodils and tulips, issuing from it; narrow fillet border of same shape, around top and sides, containing a repeated chain and tassel design; wide outer border with quasi-symmetrical, wave-shaped top, swirled floral design of hare bells and tendrils; inscription at bottom.

Notes: In the museum guide of 1912, this fireback was said to have come out of an old house at Arran Quay, Dublin.

Inscription: IP 1737

Description: Rectangular; cavetto-moulded edging; [?]fillet frame parallel with edging; on top, central date between two groups of initials in triad, with six 'daisy heads' above; on each side, vertical line of at least four squared cross stamps; inside frame, four fleurs-de-lys between two oval 'buttons' on a rectangular base at least five 'daisy heads' in a vertical line on each side.

Notes: A significant fireback, it comprises decorative stamps from at least three series of firebacks produced in the Forest of Dean area, linking their production to the same (unidentified) ironworks. The attached grate is of 19th century construction.

Inscription: THM [triad] 1669 THM [triad]

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with hollow bead edging; draped male figure standing on undulating ground with two small trees, holding a bar, flaming furnaces behind, drapery suspended from above; Arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging; swirled flowers and tendrils symmetrically arranged, with monogram at centre bottom; symmetrical arrangement of foliage on top.

Notes: The figure is of Pluto, one of a set of 'Eight Deities' engraved by Hendrick Goltzius (1592), after Polidoro da Caravaggio; a recasting, there is a larger (420mm x 640mm) but more corroded version in Hastings Museum. The faint initials SHR are probably those of the pattern-maker. The image is of a copy; original castings are correspondingly larger.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: SHR

Description: Rectangular; ogee-moulded edging (top and sides); at top, initials in middle, date split between top corners; large letters; straight base to number '8'.

Notes: The '8' is more typically found with the straight edge at the top.

Inscription: 16 IF 89