Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; figure of a man with a shield, brandishing a sword in his right hand, a lion behind him; arched rectangular border with astragal and fillet edging; mirrored swirled foliate design; on top, a scallop shell between two descending sea serpents.

Notes: The figure is probably Hercules who was charged by Eurystheus to slay the Nemean lion, one of his 12 labours.

Copies of this fireback are known.