Firebacks

Description: Plain rectangular plate with cross formed of a single length of twisted rope placed twice.

Notes: Despite the simple form, the likely Christian symbolism is very evident.

Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and sides); top left, date carved on block; top right, individual letter 'I' followed by 'WA' carved on block.

Notes: The same date stamp appears on a group of multi-facetted, arched firebacks bearing the crowned Tudor arms within a Garter.

Inscription: 1589 I WA

Description: Fragment; rectangular; astragal and fillet edging (top and sides); oblique lion passant above two left facing 'imps', one with right arm raised, the other with both arms lowered.

Notes: One of a large series all bearing royal heraldic stamps, but unusual in the use of moulded edging, twisted rope being normally used for this series. The surviving elements were probably mirrored on the missing half.

Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and sides); top centre, crowned Tudor royal shield between a lion passant on the right and a lion passant guardant sinister on the left; in each top corner a crowned four-petal rose, below which, to the right, a left-facing 'imp' with right arm raised, and to the left, a left-facing 'imp' with both arms lowered.

Notes: One of a large series bearing heraldic stamps.

Arms: Tudor royal arms of England

Description: Rectangular with lifting handles; twisted rope edging (top and sides); elaborate central rope design of concentric squares with eight symmetrical arms each with six branches; two crowned rose en soleil stamps left and right centre; three roses across the bottom interspersed with two fleurs de lys; in top corner, two carved furniture-derived stamps. The width of the main plate is 876mm.

Notes: The individual stamps are to be seen, separately or together, on other firebacks, indicating a common source; lifting handles are infrequently encountered on firebacks.

Description: Rectangular; plain plate; rectangular panel of diagonal concentric square diaper, repeated twice along base and once on end between; top row of three alternating hexagonal stamps and four double crosses flory; middle row of ?six double crosses flory with a central rose; bottom row of four hexagons.

Notes: A crude and poorly executed casting.

Description: Rectangular; plain plate with three stamps of an iron firedog with a twisted design on the neck, a primitive face on the terminal and a shield bearing initials RW.

Notes: The letters RW are said to relate to Richard Woodman, ironmaster and Protestant martyr, who resided at Cralle Place, and who operated Cralle furnace. A near-identical firedog was discovered at Bridge Cottage, Uckfield, Sussex.

Inscription: RW

Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top and sides); inscription made of short lengths of twisted rope, irregularly spaced across upper middle, central device formed of a Tudor 'A' with overstamped 'V'.

Notes: It is not clear if the central device is a monogram, or if it might have apotropaic significance.

Inscription: T A M T

Description: Rectangular; twisted rope edging (top, and top two-thirds of sides); rectangular stamp with dragon passant, repeated six times: two in top corners; two in bottom corners, rotated left; two in middle, separated by two inverted shields bearing a rose and crown, placed vertically; across each top corner, a length of twisted rope.

Notes: The same stamps, though fewer in number and excluding the rope, can be seen on another fireback at Hastings, and also on a large fireback, dated 1567, at Hadlow Down, Sussex.

Description: Rectangular; plain plate with central crossed-square rope pattern with crosses at the corner and top; on each side a rectangular stamp with swirled tendril decoration.

Notes: The crossed square was an alchemistic symbol for iron vitriol (i.e. ferrous sulphate or copperas), but the crosses at the extremities may indicate other symbolism or none; similar patterns are found on other firebacks probably made at Pounsley furnace, Sussex. The decorative stamp was probably derived from furniture. Recovered from a property in Burwash, Sussex.