Firebacks

  1. 993

    bradford-on-avon,_westwood manor 05.jpg
    ?713 x ?630 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Arched rectangular shaped; ovolo-moulded edging (top and sides); central stamp of a carved bracket figure of a bearded man in a loincloth and cap; rhyme in capitals across rectangular plate, letters carved on strips, split by figure.

    Notes: The twin miseries of a smoky house and a scolding wife are mentioned several times in literature. The dress of the figure suggests work as a miner, possibly linking this back with the Forest of Dean. Variants with initials and dates are also known.

    Inscription: FROM ·A·-·SMOKY ·LIFE·/ AND·A SCOVL DING·WIFE·/ALL MEN THAT-DOE·ME·SE/ TAKE·PETIE- AND·DELIVER ME

    Manufactured: in the mid-17th century possibly at Tintern Furnace in the Forest of Dean area of Wales.

    Current location: Westwood Manor, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, England.

    Museum number: 222507 (part of the National Trust museum group)

    Citation: Chambers, L. H., 26 Sep 1912, 'Fireback: Relic of 1660', Notes and Queries, 11th series, 6, p. 230.