Firebacks

series

  1. 957

    chateau_de duras.jpg
    ~914 x ~940 mm

    Description: Upon a rectangular base plinth, an arched rectangular, ovolo-moulded panel containing a draped cloth (disclosing on the reverse the arms of Duras) upon which two oval shields are surmounted by a ducal coronet, and encircled by the collars of the Orders of St Michel and Saint-Esprit. Behind the cloth are crossed batons of a Marshal of France; on each side are flattened S-scrolls with tassels.

    Notes: In all probability the arms of Jean-Baptiste de Durfort, Duc de Duras (1684-1770), created Marshal of France in 1741.

    Arms: Durfort, duc de Duras

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-18th century in France.

    Current location: Chateau de Duras, Duras, Lot-et-Garonne, France.

  2. 367

    leicester,_newarke houses 01.jpg
    640 x 648 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Arched rectangular shape; fillet and cavetto moulded edging; pictorial scene of three children, the centre one holding a stick strung with a bunch of grapes over his shoulder, and sitting on a goat.

    Notes: A mythological scene of the young Bacchus.

    Manufactured: in the 18th century in France.

    Current location: Newarke Houses, Leicester, Leicestershire, England.

    Museum number: H.358.1953.0.0 (part of the Leicester City Museums museum group)

    Citation: Carpentier, H., 1912, Plaques de Cheminées (Paris, published by the author).

  3. 533

    pet-m-86.jpg
    447 x 587 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Arched rectangular shape; fluted pilasters supporting a lintel with nine evenly spaced flowers arranged horizontally; central standing female figure, holding a basket of flowers, a child upon her back, another child by her side, and a sheep to her left; on top, a symmetrical arrangement of an anchor, two paddles and two cornucopiae.

    Notes: The figure would seem to represent Charity. One of a series with a distinctly Empire style.

    Manufactured: in the late-18th to early-19th century in France.

    Current location: Petworth House, Petworth, West Sussex, England.

    Museum number: NT/PET/M/86 (part of the National Trust museum group)

    Citation: Carpentier, H., 1912, Plaques de Cheminées (Paris, published by the author).

  4. 658

    rolvenden,_hole park 01.jpg
    552 x 570 mm

    Description: Canted rectangular shape; stepped fillet edging; indistinct pictorial scene of two men on the prow of a sailing ship, their arms in the air, passing a naked figure, arms also in the air.

    Notes: Possibly a representation of Odysseus and one of the Sirens.

    Manufactured: in the early-18th century in France.

    Current location: in private hands, Rolvenden, Kent, England.