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841
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, date between ‘daisy’ stamps, between initials in triad at each end; side panels, swirling foliage stamp repeated each side above a fleur-de-lys; centre panel, stamp of ‘Indian’ smoking a pipe at top left, stamp of seated ‘gentleman’ smoking a pipe and holding another, at top right; below each, a lion passant stamp, facing right on the left and facing left on the right; initials IB in bottom corners of centre panel.
Notes: The 'daisy' stamp is identical to those on similar firebacks dated between 1703 and 1721, and probably indicating the same founder whose initials IB are at the bottom; the use of stamps relating to tobacco smoking may suggest an origin near Bristol, the main entry port for the tobacco trade at that time. Previously noted at Little Faringdon House, near Lechlade. Bishop & Miller auction, Stowmarket, Suffolk, 25 May 2022, lot 293 (ns).
Inscription: TME [triad] 1706 TME [triad] / I B
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with canted top corners (shape)
- cavetto (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- text
- animals
- humans
- plants
Manufactured: in 1706 in the Forest of Dean area of England.
Current location: not known.
- Attached to series:
- IB series
- Date & initials firebacks
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1097
Description: Rectangular; cavetto-moulded edging; [?]fillet frame parallel with edging; on top, central date between two groups of initials in triad, with six 'daisy heads' above; on each side, vertical line of at least four squared cross stamps; inside frame, four fleurs-de-lys between two oval 'buttons' on a rectangular base at least five 'daisy heads' in a vertical line on each side.
Notes: A significant fireback, it comprises decorative stamps from at least three series of firebacks produced in the Forest of Dean area, linking their production to the same ironworks. The same fireback (or copies thereof), with and without the attached grate, was illustrated in catalogues issued c1910-21 by Arthur Todhunter, architectural antiques dealer, of New York (catalogue #919, $50). Leland Little auction, Hillsborough, North Carolina, 3 Mar 2018, lot 260, $400.
Inscription: THM [triad] 1669 THM [triad]
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- cavetto (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1669 possibly at Elmbridge Furnace, Newent in the Forest of Dean area of England.
Current location: not known.
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862
Description: Canted rectangle; double fillet edging (top and sides); top centre, date between two flower heads; initials in triad, repeated on each side, with two fleurs-de-lys between; flower head below each initial group; small stamp of the figure of a stag below the date.
Notes: The initials are likely to be those of a husband (P) and wife (M) whose surname begins N. Illustration from Lenygon, p. 245.
Inscription: 1689 / PNM PNM [both triads]
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with canted top corners (shape)
- double fillet (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- heraldic
- text
- plants
Manufactured: in 1689 possibly in the Shropshire area of England.
Current location: not known.
Citation: Lenygon, F., 1914, Decoration in England (London, Batsford).
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
- Ludlow series
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379
Description: Rectangular; single moulded edge on top and sides; bold date and initials, formed from large individual characters, on same line across full width of plate; otherwise plain. Side lifting lug on top right.
Notes: The style of the numerals, particularly the 6 and 5, can be seen on a smaller fireback of 1656. Lifting handles are only seen on a few firebacks. Formerly part of the J. H. Every collection.
Inscription: 1653 IHA
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- rebated fillet (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- lifting handles
- text
Manufactured: in 1653 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: 1944.24.044 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
- Lifting handle firebacks
- 1650s Wealden series
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402
Description: Rectangular with pediment and frieze resting on fluted Tuscan pilasters; plain podium base; rectangular central panel with double fillet edge divided into four with central panel containing initials; date in tympanum.
Notes: An early example of the use of classical architectural elements in an English fireback. Formerly part of the J. H. Every collection.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: [1]568 / ER
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with pediment (shape)
- none (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- architectural
- text
Manufactured: in 1568 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: 1944.24.062 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- 1568 Architectural series
- Date & initials firebacks
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440
Description: Rectangle joined to low arch with cyma recta curves; ovolo-moulded edging (top and sides); grid of twelve rectangles (4 columns of 3) with twisted rope borders; initials in arch, date in top line of rectangles.
Notes: A fireback cast specially to mark the 60th anniversary of the Sussex Archaeological Society, and donated to the society by Mr John Every.
Inscription: S.A.S. / 1926
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with canted top corners and round arch (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- simple stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1926 at Phoenix Foundry, Lewes in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: 1944.24.093 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Miscellaneous stamp firebacks
- Date & initials firebacks
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447
Description: Rectangular; ovolo-moulded edging; inscription across top of plate, numerals, except '2', larger than letters, 'A' raised above 'I' and 'M'.
Notes: A late, and rather unsophisticated example of the use of individual stamps.
Inscription: 17 IAM 32
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1732 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: LH000.950 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
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449
Description: Arched rectangular shape; cavetto edging; armorial; Stuart English royal arms within a circular garter; crown, motto and supporters (crowned lion and unicorn); initials separated by crown; left rectangular extension panel with double ovolo-moulded edging; top, putto face above initials in triad, with floral patera below; right rectangular extension panel with double ovolo-moulded edging; top, putto face above date, with floral patera below.
Notes: A widely copied armorial fireback with extension panels of a style associated with other date and initial firebacks; the central fireback measures 1080 x 860mm.
Inscription: [central fireback] C [R missing] / ..I SOI T.QVI.MAL.Y. ...SE; [left panel] IRM [triad]; [right panel] 1686
Arms: English Stuart royal
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with round arch (shape)
- complex individual (edging)
- carved stamps
- whole carved pattern
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- extension panels
- armorial
- royal
- text
Manufactured: in 1686 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: LH000.951 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
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458
Description: Fragment; bottom left corner missing; rectangular; ovolo-moulded edging; initials split by date across top of plate.
Notes: The numerals show the transition between archaic and modern type styles. Formerly part of the J. H. Every collection.
Inscription: S 1753 W
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1753 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: LH000.922 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
-
1050
Description: Rectangular; triple-moulded edging (top and sides); top left, initials RKI in triad; top right, date.
Notes: The initials probably relate to a husband and wife, the top initial being that of their surname. Formerly part of the J. H. Every collection.
Inscription: RKI [triad] 1683
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- complex, furniture-derived (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1683 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: LH000.921 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- 1660s-90s Wealden series
- Date & initials firebacks