-
1141
Description: Arched rectangular shape; twisted rope edging (top and sides); date stamp, 1634, in arch; initials, EH, separated by a cross, below date.
Notes: The same date stamp has been noted on another fireback; the cross between the initials may have an apotropaic purpose.
Inscription: 1634 /E + H
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- simple stamps
- individual letters
- date stamp
- apotropaic
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1634 in England.
Current location: Newark Park, Ozleworth, Gloucestershire, England.
(part of the National Trust museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
- 1634 stamp series
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508
Description: Arched rectangular shape; no edging; top centre, crowned capital ‘A’; date divided at top corners of plate; single six-pointed star outside date.
Notes: Earl’s coronet denotes the Earl of Ashburnham, furnace owner; the furnace was blown out for the last time in late February 1813, this fireback being reputedly the last casting from a Wealden furnace. One of a small series of firebacks cast in the early-19th century for farms on the Ashburnham estate.
Inscription: * 18 A 13 *
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- none (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1813 at Ashburnham Furnace in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Penhurst, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Ashburnham late series
- Date & initials firebacks
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513
Description: Rectangular; complex (astragal & fillet/cavetto) moulded edging; initials across top, between split date.
Inscription: 16 WSG 98 [‘S’ reversed]
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- astragal and fillet/cavetto (edging)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- planklines
- text
Manufactured: in 1698 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Kent, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
-
514
Description: Rectangular; ovolo-moulded edging (top and sides); inscription along top of plate.
Notes: The initials may relate to Robert, 2nd Earl of Leicester.
Inscription: R · 1647 · L
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1647 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Kent, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
-
517
Description: Rectangular; ogee within broad fillet moulded edging; top centre, date between split initials, with small diamonds between date and initials and outside initials.
Inscription: · T · 1665 · S ·
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- fillet and ogee (edging)
- text
Manufactured: in 1665 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Penshurst Place, Penshurst, Kent, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
-
910
Description: Canted rectangle; cavetto-moulded edging (top and sides); single horizontal fillet below canted corners and vertical fillet parallel to each side, dividing the fireback into two side panels, two top corner panels, top panel and main central panel; corner panels, ‘daisy’ plant stamp; top panel, central initials between split date, separated by 'daisy' stamps; side panels, swirling foliage stamp repeated each side, initial at bottom of panel: I to the left, B to the right.
Notes: The 'daisy' stamp and IB initials are identical to those on similar firebacks dated to between 1703 and 1721, probably indicating the same founder. Christie's Interiors - Masters & Makers (Sale 5462), South Kensington, London, 8 July 2014, lot 126 (£688).
Inscription: 17 IS 07 / I B
- Decoration tags:
- canted rectangular (shape)
- cavetto (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
- plants
Manufactured: in 1707 in the Forest of Dean area of England.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- IB series
- Date & initials firebacks
-
978
Description: Arched rectangular shape; twisted rope edging with inaccurately parallel arched rectangular fillet inside, enclosing repeated small fleur-de-lys stamps along sides and top; initials in triad in each of the internal top corners; date in arch.
Notes: The initials probably relate to a couple whose surname begins with C, the husband's forename initial being R and the wife's I (or J).
Inscription: RCI/ 1675 / RCI
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- simple stamps
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- text
Manufactured: in 1675 in England.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
-
1096
Description: Rectangular shape; ogee/cyma reversa moulded edging (top and sides); top centre, shield-shaped stamp bearing initials above date.
Notes: Two blemishes on the surface of the casting indicate that the molten iron was probably poured from two ladles simultaneously disturbing the casting sand in both locations.
Inscription: AE / 1698
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- cyma reversa/ogee (edging)
- carved stamps
- date stamp
- heraldic
- text
Manufactured: in 1698 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: The Manor House, Mark Cross Lane, Ripe, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
-
601
Description: Rectangular; astragal and fillet moulding on top and side edges; symmetrical layout of date and initials; date split between left and right sides, initials in middle, central letter in line with date, outer letters lower.
Notes: One of a series of backs dating to the 1730s and 40s using very similar sets of letters and numerals. K may relate to the surname, while the F and S may relate to the initials of husband and wife respectively. Sold at Christie's Masters and Maker auction, 30 November 2010, lot 521 (part). Mander Auctioneers, Sudbury, Suffolk, 2 Dec 2023, lot 455 (?)
Inscription: 17 K 38 / F S
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- astragal & fillet (edging)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- planklines
- text
Manufactured: in 1738 in the Weald area of England.
Current location:, not known.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
- 1730s-40s, date & initial series
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611
Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and sides) with fillet inside; top centre, rose-and-crown between four concentric roundels, two on each side in line, with two more below the inner ones; small fleurs-de-lys in triad below rose-and-crown; top left, initials; top right, date; small rose below date; triad of small roses to right of, and below, initials.
Notes: The style of rose and crown is similar to that used in gun founding in the Tudor period, suggesting that the furnace that was the source of this fireback may have been used for that purpose. Sold at Christie's Masters and Makers auction, 30 November 2010, lot 524 (£688).
Inscription: RP 1692
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- carved stamps
- heraldic
- royal
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1692 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Wadhurst, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- 1660s-90s Wealden series
- Date & initials firebacks