Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging on a broad fillet; standing on a ground with a peacock behind her, a classically-dressed figure of a female, wearing a crown and holding a sceptre in her right hand, her left hand across her chest; above her, swagged drapery; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; central scallop shell at the top with a descending arrangement of swirled and interlinked lines; at bottom centre, a cartouche bearing the letter ‘N’; on top, two mirrored serpents.

Notes: The figure is that of Hera/Juno. The pattern maker identified as ‘N’ is likely to have been working in collaboration with pattern makers whose fireback designs are identified with the initials, SHR and EB, and with the maker responsible for patterns made in 1724, some of which bore inscriptions in Welsh.

Inscription: N

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with five-bead and open pellet edging; pictorial: regal figure in his chariot drawn by two horses, a sceptre in his right hand; above, a putto descends from swagged curtains and a pair of tassels; below is a landscape with a cornucopia; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging, a scallop shell top centre with symmetrical arrangement of ivy and acanthus leaves and tendrils; the initial, N, in a cartouche bottom centre, between symmetrical oak fronds, leaves and acorns; above is a symmetrical design of scrolled floral tendrils terminating in sea monsters.

Notes: Very similar in design and execution to firebacks of the SHR and EB series, suggesting designs emanating from the same source and with a similar inspiration. The figure in the chariot may be an allegory of the Sun. Apollo is traditionally drawn by horses.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: N

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: 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