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909
Description: Arched rectangular shape; cavetto-moulded edging;lower centre, crowned bust of King William III above a cartouche, possibly orange branches, with leaves and fruit on each side; above, a putto blowing a trumpet; initials on each side of cartouche; date split between bottom corners.
Notes: A finely detailed image of King William III; the significance of initials is not known. It is possible that the bust of the king, the date, initials and the surrounding branches were carved on a separate pattern which was added to an otherwise simple mould comprising an arched rectangular border and the trumpet-blowing putto before casting. Christie's auction, 25 Feb 2014, lot 184 (£6,000).
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: 16 96 / AC AL
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with round arch (shape)
- cavetto (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- historical
- royal
- text
- humans
- plants
Manufactured: in 1696 in England.
Current location: not known.
- Attached to series:
- Miscellaneous royal firebacks
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746
Description: Fragment (top part only); arched; cavetto-moulded edging; shield, helm, crown and supporters royal house of Scotland.
Notes: The arms probably pre-date the union of the kingdoms of Scotland and England in 1603. The arched shape and style of execution suggest a possible continental origin for the design.
Inscription: IN DEFENS
Arms: Scotland royal pre 1603
- Decoration tags:
- rounded arched (shape)
- cavetto (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- armorial
- text
Manufactured: in the late-16th century in England.
Current location: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, Kensington & Chelsea, Greater London, England.
Museum number: 891.1901 (part of the Victoria & Albert Museum museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Miscellaneous royal firebacks