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245
Description: Arched rectangular shaped with narrow shoulders; fillet edging; date in individual numerals across arch.
Notes: A larger version is different in the spacing of the numerals and the proportions of the plate. For another casting of this fireback see J. Every Collection catalogue #20 (Sussex Archaeological Society library, Barbican House, Lewes, Sussex).
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: 1658
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with round arch (shape)
- rope (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1658 possibly in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Lytes Cary Manor, Charleton Mackrell, Somerset, England.
Museum number: 254606 (part of the National Trust museum group)
- Attached to series:
- 1658 arched series
- Date only firebacks
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35
? x ? mmDescription: 'Dutch' style; arched rectangular shaped with bead edging; figures of a man and woman walking, in dress of the mid-17th century, a page holding the woman's train. followed by a man holding a parasol, and by a horse; they pass between the bases of two columns; above is foliage and clouds. On top are two serpents and three pomegranates arranged symmetrically.
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.
Manufactured: in the mid-17th century .
Current location: in private hands, Chichester, West Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Continents firebacks
- 'Dutch' Borderless series
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255
Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and sides); along upper half of plate, date split with initials in between.
Notes: The initials are likely of William Yalden (d.1674), an ironmaster who was active in north-west Sussex and south-west Surrey where this and other similar firebacks have been noted.
Inscription: 16 WY 68
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1668 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Ramster, Chiddingfold, Surrey, England.
- Attached to series:
- William Yalden series
- Date & initials firebacks
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1155
Description: Rectangular shape; fillet edging (top and sides); across the top, line of squared cross stamps in three groups (5, 5 and 7), with six more continued down each side; below the top line of stamps, central date with initials in triad to each side, interrupting the top line of stamps, with two fleurs-de-lys to each side and a single bead; below, three sides of a rectangular compartment, fillet edged with irregular quadrants at the top corner enclosing two fleurs-de-lys each, between which is a line of about 10 beads between single fleurs.
Notes: A large and badly corroded fireback linking the Square Cross series and Hollow Saltire series stylistically. The initials probably relate to a husband and wife. Chorley's Auctioneers sale, Gloucester, 20 November 2019, lot 634 (£20).
Inscription: WCK [triad] 1668 WCK [triad
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- fillet (edging)
- simple stamps
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1668 in the Forest of Dean area of England.
Current location: not known.
- Attached to series:
- Square cross Dean series
- Newent area group
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37
Description: Arched rectangular shaped; cavetto moulded edging; male figure in dress of the period, right hand on hip, left hand holding reins, astride a prancing horse; date and inscription (letter 'N' reversed) follow inside top edge.
Notes: Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron (1612-1671), commander of the New Model Army, which probably prompted the epithet, conqueror. 1649 was the year of Charles I's execution, to which Fairfax was opposed.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: 1649 LD FAIRFAX COVNQVIROR
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with round arch (shape)
- cavetto (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- pictorial
- historical
- text
- animals
- humans
Manufactured: in 1649 in England.
Current location: in private hands, Cowbeech, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Commemorative firebacks
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38
Description: Rectangular; fillet and astragal edging; initials between date in one horizontal line, upper half of plate.
Inscription: 16 ES 57
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- astragal & fillet (edging)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1657 possibly in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Cowfold Cottage Tandoori, Cowfold, West Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
-
1039
Description: Canted rectangular shape; twisted rope edging (top and sides) in short lengths; top centre, initials above date.
Notes: The initials are likely to be those of Richard Holden, clothier of Cranbrook, who inherited Branden near Sissinghurst in 1623 and who was living there in 1659.
Inscription: RH / 1659
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with canted top corners (shape)
- rope (edging)
- simple stamps
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1659 probably at Biddenden Furnace in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Cranbrook, Kent, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
-
955
Description: Composite; canted arched rectangular shape; armorial fireback, cavetto edging, with Stuart Royal arms, garter, supporters, crown and motto, and 1620 date above crown; this overlies a canted rectangular plate, with twisted rope edging, fillet; two quasi-horizontal fillets from the tops of the vertical sides to the middle of the armorial fireback separate the back into two uneven parts, the date in the top part, split by the armorial, and a fleur-de-lys at the top of the lower part, also separated by the armorial.
Notes: The use of the armorial back is seen frequently and probably dates from 1619, though the date is usually altered; in this case the alteration does not match the more prominent date for the fireback; photograph ex T. Crowther & Son Ltd, 1985.
Inscription: 16 29 / HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE / 16 37 / DIEV ET MON DROIT
Arms: English Stuart royal
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with canted top corners and round arch (shape)
- rope (edging)
- carved stamps
- whole carved pattern
- composite
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- armorial
- royal
- text
Manufactured: in 1637 possibly in the Forest of Dean area of England.
Current location: not known.
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1193
Description: Arched rectangular shape with a 'flame' on each shoulder and a broken one on top of the arch; fillet and cavetto-moulded edging; lower centre, shield with impaled arms, dexter two bars in high relief, sinister a crowned lion rampant, all in front of a foliate cartouche terminating in mirrored swirls below the shield; above, a beaded coronet; in the arch, the date split either side of mirrored foliate swags suspended from a bow and from a flower in each shoulder, with a short central vertical swag above the coronet.
Notes: A fireback in high relief with an inserted date.
Inscription: 16 62
Arms: not known
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with round arch (shape)
- fillet and cavetto (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- armorial
- text
Manufactured: in 1662 in France.
Current location: English Salvage Ltd, North Road, Leominster, Herefordshire, England.
- Attached to series:
- Foreign armorial firebacks
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1030
Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shape upon a moulded plinth; on a background comprising foliate swirls, a central shield, helm, coronet and elaborate mantling, with a crest of a forward facing centaur armed with a drawn bow pointed to the sinister side, and behind which are six pennons, three each side display in a v-shape; to the left, a triumph comprising a drum, draped flag on pole, concealing an arquebus, halberd and breastplate, and a broad-brimmed hat with feather; to the right, a triumph comprising a drum, a breast plate and tassets, a powder horn, and partially concealed arquebus, sword and spear, and a broad-brimmed hat with feather; at the base, a horizontal fillet with scrolled ends and squatting 'rodents'.
Notes: An uncharacteristic fireback designed and cast for the family of Joan Huydecoper (1625-1704). A variant without the base plinth and 'rodents' is in the collection of Museum Rotterdam (inv. 15224).
Inscription: ANNO 1647
Arms: Joan Huydecoper
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with ornate arch (shape)
- complex individual (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- heraldic
- armorial
- text
- humans
- objects
Manufactured: in 1647 possibly in the Siegerland area of Germany.
Current location: Rijksmuseum, Museumstraat, Amsterdam South, North Holland, Netherlands.
Museum number: BK-1978-19 (part of the Rijksmuseum museum group)
- Attached to series:
- 'Dutch' Miscellaneous Firebacks
- Foreign armorial firebacks