Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead-and-pellet on fillet edging; beneath swagged curtains, a basket containing a variety of fruit - plums, apples, pears and grapes - resting on a table or plinth covered with a fringed cloth; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging and symmetrical foliate tendrils; date in bottom corners split betwen foliate tendrils incorporating looped 'W' shapes; on top, symmetrical scrolled plant tendrils.

Notes: One of a series of firebacks made originally in 1724. The basket of fruit was probably inspired by still-life paintings by European artists of the first half of the 17th century. Formerly at Salem, Massachusetts.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 24

Description: Canted rectangle; inset twisted rope edging (top and sides); stamp formed of a statuette of an standing angel with left hand at the waist, and holding a sceptre in the right hand; date split either side of angel; initials in triad above angel; small face stamp repeated three times, one each side of angel, and one below.

Notes: The identity of those to whom the initials refer is not known; the use of the angel statuette is a rare inclusion of a religious motif on an English fireback. A variant of this fireback is at the Lygon Arms Hotel, Broadway, Worcestershire (no. 1027).

Inscription: IHI [triad] / 16 33