Firebacks

Description: Quasi-rectangular shape (42.5mm wider at the bottom); border formed of strips carved with an undulating vine (top and sides); successive rows of repeated stamps: (from top) 18 'hops' or 'grape bunches' in line, horizontal fillet with line of beads below, line of vine strips, 5 birds (probably swans, a Lancastrian badge) in line with 'hops'/'grape bunches' at top and bottom of gaps, line of vine strips, line of beads with horizontal fillet below, 17 'hops'/'grape bunches' in line, and line of vine strips (partially obscured by what appears to be the repeated pressing of finger tips into the casting sand to form an extension at the base).

Notes: One of a series of firebacks incorporating the use of the undulating vine strip, and the 'swan' stamp. This may be a recasting produced by the firm of Charles Wayte & Cheverton, formerly of Edenbridge, Kent, as a similar back was illustrated in their catalogue.

Description: Arched rectangular shape with stepped angles; twisted rope edging (top and sides); small flower bud stamp repeated inside edging, with ‘pineapple’ stamp repeated inside; lower part comprises three concentric half-rectangles formed from undulating vine strips and repeated ‘pineapple’ stamp; above, three vertical vine strips with parallel ‘pineapple’ stamps, human face stamps above them; two diagonal vine strips below the vertical strips.

Notes: A most remarkable fireback, incorporating stamps seen on other firebacks.

Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shaped, with sides leaning slightly towards the top; wide ovolo edging (top and sides) with twisted rope relief; Tudor shield, garter, crown and supporters (crowned lion and dragon); motto along base; irregular ribbon behind.

Notes: Whole pattern; strong stylistic similarities with a Buckhurst arms fireback (no. 491), an example of which is at Michelham Priory, near Hailsham, East Sussex, suggest a common pattern maker and possibly furnace.

Inscription: DIEV ET MON DROI

Arms: Tudor royal (prob. Elizabeth I)

Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and sides); top left, date carved on block; top right, individual letter 'I' followed by 'WA' carved on block.

Notes: The same date stamp appears on a group of multi-facetted, arched firebacks bearing the crowned Tudor arms within a Garter. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Inscription: 1589 I WA

Description: Rectangular with triangular pediment; stepped fillet and ogee moulded edge to pediment; twisted rope sides; date in portico; medallion with dog crest stamped twice in top left and right corners.

Notes: It may be that the date and portico form a separate panel, as the position of the date appears to be the same on the three known castings where it is found.

Inscription: 1586

Description: Rectangular with triangular pediment; stepped fillet and ogee moulded edge; initials in rectangular panel (F reversed); date in portico.

Notes: The triangular top is a separate element, in this instance impressed before the lower panel. A variant at the Victoria and Albert Museum (no. 771) has the letters positioned slightly differently. A version of this fireback, with a rope-edged panel in the lower part, and medallion stamps, can also be seen at Hastings. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

Inscription: 1586 F M

Description: Rectangular with pentagonal arch; stepped fillet edging; six fleurs de lys - three in line at base of arch, two near top corners of rectangle, one in middle of rectanngle.

Notes: Other firebacks based on the same shape but with different edging suggests the use of a common base board, but with the edging and other decoration varied to order.

Description: Canted rectangle; twisted rope edging (top and sides); symmetrical arrangement of a fleur-d-lys stamp repeated seven times (2-3-2), with the middle one of the three slight above the other two, and the bottom two inverted immediately below the outer two of the three.

Notes: The style of the fleurs is identical to those on two firebacks decorated with firedogs bearing the initials, HN, and the crossed staple badge of the Nevills; Henry Nevill occupied Mayfield furnace from about 1585 until 1599.

Description: Rectangular; no edging; arrangement of eight fleur de lys stamps formed of, at top centre, four in a cross shape, with two in line on each side; on each side of the cross arrangement is a naked standing putto stamp.

Notes: The putti are an unusual addition to what is a quite crudely decorated fireback

Description: Rectangular with three-facetted arch; fillet edging; shield, crown and lion supporters of the French royal house of Valois.

Notes: The arms date to before 1589 when the House of Valois was succeeded by the House of Bourbon. Lion supporters on the French royal arms are not common.

Arms: France Royal