Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead-and-pellet edging on a broad fillet; pictorial scene of a figure in a chariot drawn by birds, above a ground, and with clouds over; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; alternating acanthus leaves with symmetrical curled lines, possible initial centre bottom; on top, two mirrored sea serpents; plain extension panels to each side.

Notes: The figure is that of Jupiter, holding a bolt of lightning, who is sometimes portrayed in a chariot drawn by eagles; width without extension panels - 477mm.

Inscription: [?]N

Description: Rectangular; plain plate with shield, supporters, ducal coronet, motto and garter of the Duke of Dorset: Quarterly, Or and gules, a bend vair.

Notes: Almost certainly the arms of Lionel Sackville KG (1688-1765), created first duke of Dorset in 1720; many different firebacks exist, all with precisely the same armorial stamp.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: [around shield] HONY SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE / [on motto scroll] AUT NUNQUAM TENTES, AUT PERFICE

Arms: Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset

Description: Rectangular; plain plate with shield, supporters, ducal coronet, motto and garter of the Duke of Dorset: Quarterly, Or and gules, a bend vair.

Notes: Almost certainly the arms of Lionel Sackville KG (1688-1765), created first duke of Dorset in 1720; many different firebacks exist, all with precisely the same armorial stamp.

Inscription: HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE / AUT NUNQUAM TENTES, AUT PERFICE [Either do not attempt, or complete]

Arms: Lionel Sackville, 1st Duke of Dorset

Description: Canted rectangle; cavetto-moulded edging; three horizontal strips bearing a fine repeated ribbing: one horizontal below canted corners, and two vertical strips parallel to each side, dividing the fireback into two side panels, two top corner panels, top panel and main central panel; in each top corner panel a flower head stamp; top panel, date between a repeated double fleur-de-lys stamp; in each side panel, a stamp formed of an arrangement of scrolled tendrils, with a double fleur-de-lys stamp below; central panel, a flower head stamp in each top corner.

Notes: The divided structure of the decoration and the use of flower head and double fleur stamps places this fireback in the series identified on some castings with the initials IB. The tendril decoration in the side panels has not been seen on other backs in the series. Bellmans Auction, Wisborough Green, 8-10 Sep 2025, lot 703 (£30).

Inscription: 1702

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with 'nutshell' on fillet edging; on a ground with a tree to the left, a semi-naked figure of a man wearing a crown, his head turned to his left, robed about his waist, his left arm akimbo and his right hand holding a bident resting on his right shoulder, above are clouds and a sun ray; arched rectangular fillet border with suspended ribbons with floral bunches; at bottom centre, a cartouche bearing the letter ‘N’ between swirled foliage; on top, two stylised mirrored serpents with central swirled foliage.

Notes: The bident identifies the figure as the god Pluto/Hades, ruler of the underworld. The suspended ribbons and floral bunches in the border are similar to those seen on the Mayfield 'Dutch' series (e.g. no. 930). This is a copy of an earlier casting, a horizontal crack in the original having been preserved on the lower right side.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: N