Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; pictorial scene of Venus, naked and kneeling, and Adonis, standing, holding a spear in his left hand, with Cupid to the left, and a hound and a quiver of arrows below to the right; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; descending swags of fruit and seashells enclosing the central panel; inscription in an oval cartouche at the bottom; on top, a Holy Roman Imperial crown between two mirrored dolphins, heads downward.

Notes: The scene is based on the painting (c.1635) of Venus and Adonis by Peter Paul Rubens; the initials, L7C, denote the style of border - other firebacks having the same inscription have the same border - and other borders are denoted by similar inscriptions (e.g. L6C and L8G). Image from von den Driesch, p.520.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: L7C

Description: Arched rectangular shape; cavetto-moulded edging; central, two handled, gadrooned vase with swirled, fruited vines issuing from the neck, and a bird on each side perched within the vines; out of the neck, a naïve human figure with arms outstretched, grasping vines on each side.

Notes: The figure emerging from the vase has a symbolism which has yet to be explained; more than one version of this fireback exists.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with additional arch above; bead edging; pictorial scene of Solomon, rising seated on a scallop-backed, canopied throne, greeting the Queen of Sheba, with other figures in attendance; identical shaped border with cavetto-moulded edging; a vase on top with descending swags of drapery; at the sides, festoons of flowers suspended from ribbon bows; at the bottom, a central cartouche between fruit bunches; on top, a bunch of three flowers with an ascending serpent on each side, and a bunch of flowers on each shoulder of the plate.

Notes: Several contemporary paintings are of similar scenes; this design may have been derived from a Dutch engraving of a drawing by an anonymous French artist after Maarten van Heemskerck. The same central panel can be seen on no. 1326. Wilkinsons auction, Doncaster, 25 Mar 2024, lot 606 (£200).

Description: Canted rectangular shape; twisted rope edging (top and sides); top centre, date formed of individual numerals.

Notes: The '1' has a central button, typical of the period, or of a little earlier. Formerly at Padley Hall, Derbyshire. Wilkinson's, Doncaster, auction 24 Apr 2016 lot 317.

Inscription: 1670