Firebacks

  1. 784

    west_hoathly, upper pendent.jpg
    796 x 1133 mm

    Description: Arched rectangular centrel panel with bead on fillet edging; central seated female with an infant in her arms, a swan at her feet and a standing child on each side, the one to her left facing the front and holding aloft a flaming heart, its foot on a ball; the child to her right facing the back, holding aloft a branch in its left hand, all on a ground with a tree behind to the right; arched rectangular border with bead edging; fructal and floral festoons suspended on ribbons with two putti at the top and two on each side; at the bottom, a central cartouche with illegible date, between floral swags; on top, twin spirals between descending floral festoons.

    Notes: The group is an allegory of Charity. A recasting.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Manufactured: in the mid 17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.

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