Firebacks

Description: Cavetto-canted arched rectangle; twisted rope edging, separately around rectangle and arch; initials 'R' and 'H' in upper left and right corners of rectangle; 'M' above date in arch.

Notes: The arch does not appear to have been a separate stamp, although the rope edging gives that impression; the initials, in triad, suggest a husband and wife - R.. and H.. M..

Inscription: M / 1654 / / R H

Description: Arched rectangular shape with cyma recta shoulders; astragal edging (top and sides); top centred, date split by a mirrored 'TC' monogram.

Notes: A bold, simple design, its dimensions reflecting the reduced size of fireplaces in the period.

Inscription: 16 TCTC 93

Description: Canted rectangle; twisted rope edging (top and canting only); centre top, date (written as 1018); below to left and right, initials.

Notes: It has been suggested that the initials IR relate to King James I but the lack of any other royal decoration makes this unlikely.

Inscription: 1618 / IR IR

Description: Rectangular; cavetto moulded edging; initials in top left corner; date in top right corner.

Notes: The style of lettering and numerals is reminiscent of those seen on firebacks associated with the Sidneys, Earls of Leicester, and may suggest a common source.

Inscription: IB 1695

Description: Arched rectangle with stepped, canted shoulders; fillet and astragal edging (top and sides only); initials above date at top of plate.

Notes: The shape and edging are uncommon. Formerly from Caerphilly, Glamorgan.

Inscription: D H / 1746

Description: Rectangular shape; wide fillet and ogee-moulded edging; approximately top centre, initials RH, with date 1701 centred below.

Notes: The character set for the initials and date lacks uniformity, some carved crudely, others more carefully; the lettering differs from another fireback (see no. 1166), with the same initials and date, by the position and shape of the letter 'R'. Formerly at Nethercote, Netherfield Hill, East Sussex. The former location in the Netherfield area of these two firebacks suggests a possible association with Richard Hay, owner of land in that area at that time and ironmaster at Beech Furnace nearby.

Inscription: R H / 1701

Description: Rectangular shape without edging; date in an elegant Roman style split between top and bottom corners; top centre, beaded initials WL.

Notes: The dotted initials are unusual, in all probabiltiy the dots being individually pressed into the moulding sand.

Inscription: I W L 8 / 1 8

Description: Arched rectangular shape; astragal edging (top and sides); top centre, initials RT, widely split date below.

Notes: Simple fireback with a pair of initials and date. The '3' of the date is from a different set of numerals from the others.

Inscription: RT / 17 63

Description: Canted rectangular shape; twisted rope edging (top and sides); date top centre; initials in triad in each corner.

Notes: Damage to bottom right corner. The Pedestal Auction, Cirencester, 4 Mar 2019, lot 154 (£240).

Inscription: VHE [triad] 1685 VHE [triad]

Description: Rectangular; truncated egg and dart moulded edging on top and left side; top right of centre, date in individual over-pressed stamps; initials in over-pressed stamps centred below date.

Notes: A rare use of egg and dart moulding used as separate edging, presumably derived from redundant domestic moulding or furniture.

Inscription: 1637 / H V