Firebacks

Free-standing firebacks

  1. 1128

    amerongen,_21 nederstraat 03 460x520x210.jpg
    460 x 520 mm

    Description: Quasi-arched shape with forward-facing 'wings', which splay outwards towards the base; the 'wings' curve to follow the shape of the main panel but curl outwards at the top; central panel with pictorial image of, to the right, a shepherd holding a musical pipe, his right foot upon a log, upon which a dog, to the left, sits holding the shepherd's crook; top centre, a crown, on either side of which, on the curled upper parts of the 'wings', is an inward facing sheep.

    Notes: This small, but unusual, casting was probably cast in an open box mould as the upcast (reverse) side of the casting shows evidence of being sand-treated. Only a very small number of such castings are known. Depth 210mm

    Manufactured: in the late 17th to early 18th century in England.

    Current location: 21 Nederstraat, Amerongen, Utrechtse Heuvelrug, Netherlands.

  2. 1068

    panxworth,_norfolk reclamation 01a.jpg
    430 x 490 mm

    Description: Arched shape with forward-facing 'wings', which splay outwards towards the base, curved to follow the shape of the main panel; central panel with stylised tree decoration surmounted with a scallop shell between six 'leaves' (one damaged).

    Notes: This small, but unusual, casting was probably cast in an open box mould as the upcast (reverse) side of the casting shows evidence of being sand-treated. Only a very small number of such castings are known. Depth 200mm.

    Manufactured: in the late 17th to early 18th century in England.

    Current location: Norfolk Antique and Reclamation Centre, Woolseys Farm, Salhouse Road, Panxworth, Norfolk, England.

  3. 1069

    wigmore,_chapel farm 02.jpg
    385 x 455 mm

    Description: Quasi-arched shape with forward-facing 'wings', which splay outwards towards the base where each has been pierced with a small hole as if to insert a rod from one side to the other; the 'wings' curve to follow the shape of the main panel but curl outwards at the top; central panel with stylised tree decoration surmounted with a crown between two inward-facing animals, possibly a lion and unicorn; beneath the tree, a partially illegible inscription in relief.

    Notes: This unusual casting was probably formed in an open box mould. Only a very small number of such castings are known. Depth 200mm. A similar fireback, noted at Poynings in Sussex, was illustrated in The Connoisseur, vol 41 (April 1915), p. 221; it too had a crown supported by a lion and unicorn on the top, and a tree with an illegible inscription below.

    Inscription: SYLVESTR..[illegible]

    Manufactured: in the late 17th to early 18th century in England.

    Current location: in private hands, Wigmore, Herefordshire, England.