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1079
Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shape; fillet edging, indented on the inner edge; pictorial representation of a phoenix rising from flames, date split either side of its neck; the lateral edges are wide in relation to the top, from which the arch rises from two loop and is surmounted by a fleur-de-lys; above each shoulder of the plate, a roundel.
Notes: The looped fillet edging is rarely seen and does not seem to be diagnostic of a particular pattern-maker.
Inscription: 16 77
- Decoration tags:
- quasi-arched rectangular (shape)
- fillet (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- mythological
- text
- animals
Manufactured: in 1677 possibly in the Staffordshire area of England.
Current location: Ford Green Hall, Ford Green Road, Smallthorne, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England.
(part of the Stoke-on-Trent Museums museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Miscellaneous pattern firebacks
- Phoenix firebacks
- Loop edged firebacks
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1078
Description: Fragment; quasi-arched rectangular shape; twisted rope or leather edging; flame on centre arch and on top corners (left missing); initials in triad above central shield with date split either side of centre; the bottom right corner is missing.
Notes: The initials are of Philip and Elizabeth Hollins of Mosslee Hall, Cheddleton, Staffordshire, who were married in 1671. Blazon: Argent, a chevron azure, in chief four crosses formee fitchee of the second.
Inscription: PHE [triad] / 16 71
Arms: Hollins, of Mosslee Hall
- Decoration tags:
- quasi-arched rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- heraldic
- armorial
- text
Manufactured: in 1671 possibly in the Staffordshire area of England.
Current location: The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, Bethesda Street, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England.
Museum number: LH.SH.1955.21 (part of the Stoke-on-Trent Museums museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Personal armorial firebacks
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704
Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; pictorial figure of a winged child holding a thunderbolt in his right hand and a sceptre in his left hand, on a ground of clouds; arched rectangular border with astragal and cavetto moulded edging; two cornucopiae, flowers and leaves tumbling from them and hanging suspended down the sides; on top, two sea serpents.
Notes: The figure is of Zeus/Jupiter as a child.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: 16 [...]
- Decoration tags:
- 'Dutch' (shape)
- cavetto (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- mythological
- text
- humans
Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location: Tiverton Castle, Tiverton, Devon, England.
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Miscellaneous Firebacks
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710
Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; figure of a man with a shield, brandishing a sword in his right hand; arched rectangular border with astragal and fillet edging; mirrored swirled foliate design; on top, scallop shell between two descending sea serpents.
Notes: The figure is probably a mythological subject.
Copies of this fireback are known.
- Decoration tags:
- 'Dutch' (shape)
- astragal & fillet (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- allegorical
Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Miscellaneous Firebacks
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720
Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead-on-fillet edging, pictorial representation of a man and woman walking, behind the woman a child holds her train and a young person carries a parasol; from behind a column on the right, a horse's head is visible, a tree stands to the left, at the foot of the scene is the word 'EVROPA'; tall-arched rectangular border with fillet edging; at top of arch, a lion's head above a ring, with descending grape vines on each side; at each side, a festoon of fruit suspended on a ribbon from a lion's head; at the bottom, an oval cartouche between flowers; on top, a Holy Roman Imperial crown between two descending dolphins.
Notes: The pictorial scene is based on an engraving c.1642 of Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg, and his wife, Luise Henriette of Oranje-Nassau, by Mathias Czwiczek; one of series of firebacks depicting allegories of the four continents.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: EVROPA
- Decoration tags:
- 'Dutch' (shape)
- fillet (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- architectural
- text
- humans
- plants
Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Miscellaneous Firebacks
- 'Dutch' Continents firebacks
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865
Description: Arched rectangle; twisted rope edging (top and sides); central date at bottom of arch.
Inscription: 1670
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1670 in England.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- Date only firebacks
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948
Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead edging; seated, semi-naked female figure, with laurels leaves about her head, holding a bunch of grapes in her raised right hand; she is sitting on a stool; to her right is what appears to be a pile of stones; to her left a vase of tulips with a tree behind; above centre, is the word TERRA (earth - Latin); above is a swag of drapery enclosing a scallop shell; outside the panel is a narrow border of the same shape with fillet edging; the fireback is surmounted by a scallop shell between two outward-facing sea serpents.
Notes: One of a series of four designs of the classical elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: TERRA
- Decoration tags:
- 'Dutch' (shape)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- allegorical
- text
- humans
- plants
Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century possibly in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Miscellaneous Firebacks
- Elements firebacks
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947
Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead edging; naked figure of Poseidon/Neptune holding a a trident in his raised left hand, his right arm extended; he is sitting on a bridge over a flowing stream; to his right a merman, half immersed, blows a shell trumpet; above centre, is the word AQUA (water - Latin); above is a swag of drapery enclosing a scallop shell; outside the panel is a narrow border of the same shape with fillet edging; the fireback is surmounted by a scallop shell between two outward-facing sea serpents.
Notes: One of a series of four designs of the classical elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: AQUA
- Decoration tags:
- 'Dutch' (shape)
- fillet (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- mythological
- allegorical
- text
- humans
- objects
Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century possibly in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Miscellaneous Firebacks
- Elements firebacks
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984
Description: Arched rectangular central panel with additional arch above; bead and fillet edging; pictorial scene of, on the left, a tree next to a female and, in the centre, a male figure, both in eastern dress, a page behind holding a train, and to the right a short obelisk surmounted by a crescent, behind which is the head of a figure with a camel; behind is a small building also surmounted by a crescent, with clouds above; the word, ASIA, is centre bottom; identical shaped border with cavetto-moulded edging; a pomegranate on top with descending swags of drapery; at the sides, overlapping bunches of foliage suspended from ribbon bows; at the bottom, a central cartouche between fruit bunches; on top, a pomegranate with a descending serpent on each side, and a pomegranate on each shoulder of the plate.
Notes: A pastiche of the EUROPA design based on an engraving c.1642 of Friedrich Wilhelm, Elector of Brandenburg, and his wife, Luise Henriette of Oranje-Nassau, by Mathias Czwiczek, with the figures adopting very similar poses in an oriental setting; one of series depicting allegories of the four continents, in this instance Asia. A recasting.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: ASIA / MB
- Decoration tags:
- 'Dutch' (shape)
- fillet (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- allegorical
- monogram
- text
- animals
- humans
Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century possibly in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Arched arch types
- 'Dutch' Continents firebacks
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1198
Description: Arched rectangular central panel with beaded edging, containing an image of a semi-naked adult male with feathered headdress and 'grass' skirt and holding a club in his left hand; beside hima an adult female also wearing a 'grass' skirt and with a bird perched on her left hand, while holding with her right hand a standing child; within an arched rectangular border with fillet edging, descending from draped foliage on each side, swags or what appear to be coconuts or gourds, and at the bottom a cartouche between swirled foliage; on top, the mask of a putto with dolphins descending on each side.
Notes: One of a series portraying allegories of the four known continents - Europe, Asia, Africa and America; each comprises a pair of adults and a child dressed stereotypically, in this case representative of America. The images were derived from other media, such as paintings or engravings. Copake Auction, New York, 1 Jan 2011, lot 511 ($2,100).
Copies of this fireback are known.
- Decoration tags:
- 'Dutch' (shape)
- fillet (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- allegorical
- animals
Manufactured: in the mid to late 17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location:, not known.
Citation: Elling, W. & Winkler-Borck, S., 1992, Ofen- und Kaminplatten (Vreden, Hamaland-Museum).
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Continents firebacks