Firebacks

Anglo-French armorial firebacks

  1. 918

    bonhams_chester 20 nov 1013 lot 240 565x905.jpg
    690 x 640 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular with complex quasi-arched rectangular top; ovolo moulded edging; shield with Royal arms of France in a swirled cartouche, initials IT top centre; above, an English crown; below to right and left, a prancing stag.

    Notes: The combination of the English crown and French arms is common and may relate to the marriage of Charles I and Princess Henrietta Maria of France in 1625; although the framing of the pattern is very similar to others of the same basic design, the style suggests a different pattern maker. A variant of an otherwise identical fireback, with the addition of the date and initials. Bonhams sale, Chester, 25 July 2013, lot 257.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: IT / 16 [?]1

    Arms: France modern

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-17th century possibly in the Weald area of England.

    Current location:, not known.

  2. 824

    christies_10-06-11 6359 710x650.jpg
    710 x 650 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular with complex quasi-arched rectangular top; ovolo moulded edging; shield with Royal arms of France in a swirled cartouche; above, an English crown; below to right and left, a prancing stag.

    Notes: The combination of the English crown and French arms is common and may relate to the marriage of Charles I and Princess Henrietta Maria of France in 1625; although the framing of the pattern is very similar to others of the same basic design, the style suggests a different pattern maker. Christie's auction 21 Jun 2011 lot 208 (£2,750).

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Arms: France modern

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-17th century possibly in the Weald area of England.

    Current location:, not known.

  3. 893

    denhams_(warnham) 23-10-12 686x.jpg
    686 x ~624 mm

    Description: Rectangular with complex quasi-arched rectangular top; ovolo moulded edging; shield with Royal arms of France in a swirled cartouche, initials inserted at top of shield; above, an English crown; below to right and left, a prancing stag.

    Notes: The combination of the English crown and French arms is common and may relate to the marriage of Charles I and Princess Henrietta Maria of France in 1625; although the framing of the pattern is very similar to others of the same basic design, the style suggests a different pattern maker. A recasting of an earlier back with inserted initials.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: IT

    Arms: France modern

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-17th century possibly in the Weald area of England.

    Current location:, not known.

  4. 488

    michelham_001.jpg
    617 x 590 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular with complex quasi-arched rectangular top; fillet edging; shield with Royal arms of France in a cartouche; above, an English crown.

    Notes: The combination of the English crown and French arms is common and may relate to the marriage of Charles I and Princess Henrietta Maria of France in 1625. A different version is no. 659. Said to have been cast by Thomas Prickett (1727-95) at Gloucester Furnace, Lamberhurst. Formerly part of the J. H. Every collection.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Arms: France modern

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-17th century probably at Gloucester Furnace, Lamberhurst in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Michelham Priory, Arlington, East Sussex, England.

    Museum number: 1944.24.068 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)

    Citation: Dawson, C., 1903, 'Sussex Iron Work and Pottery', Sussex Archaeological Collections, 46, pp. 1-54.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).

    Citation: Phillips, C. T., 1894, 'Interesting additions to the museum', Sussex Archaeological Collections,39, pp. 214-5.

  5. 833

    ripley_065.jpg
    750 x 580 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular; cavetto-moulded edging; armorial of France modern in front of a cartouche; above, an English royal crown between two small lion masks; two lion rampant supporters.

    Notes: Believed to be associated with the marriage, in 1625, of Charles I with Princess Henrietta Maria of France, the juxtaposition of the arms of France with an English crown is seen on several firebacks, normally with a distinctive ornate edging; on this fireback is the unusual addition of two lion supporters, which are heraldically incorrect.

    Arms: France modern

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-17th century possibly in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Mark Ripley Forge & Fireplaces, Northbridge Street, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, England.

  6. 659

    rolvenden,_hole park 02.jpg
    615 x 595 mm

    Description: Rectangular with complex quasi-arched rectangular top; ovolo moulded edging; shield with Royal arms of France in a cartouche; above, an English crown.

    Notes: A different version of no. 488. The combination of the English crown and French arms is common and may relate to the marriage of Charles I and Princess Henrietta Maria of France in 1625; probably the work of the same pattern maker. Many copies exist of this fireback.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Arms: French royal

    Manufactured: in the early- to mid-17th century in the Weald area of England.

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