Firebacks

Shape: rectangular with arch above arch

  1. 574

    pet-m-65.jpg
    610 x 810 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel with arch and bead edging within a similarly shaped cavetto-moulded border and pomegranates on to and on the ach shoulder of the plate; pictorial representation of the king of Sweden mounted on a horse.

    Notes: The king would be Gustav II. There is a companion fireback bearing the image of Prince Fredrik Henrik of Oranje.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: DIE KONINCK VON SWEDEN

    Manufactured: in the mid- to late-17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.

    Current location: Petworth House, Petworth, West Sussex, England.

    Museum number: NT/PET/M/65 (part of the National Trust museum group)

    Citation: Driesch, K. von den , 1990, Handbuch der Ofen-, Kamin- und Takenplatten im Rheinland (Cologne, Rheinland-Verlag).

  2. 578

    pet-m-69.jpg
    530 x >670 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Arched rectangular shape with arch; bead-on-fillet edging within a cavetto-moulded border; pictorial representation of a man and woman in the dress of the mid 17th century, with a fruit tree between them.

    Notes: The significance of this design has not been satisfactorily explained. Carpentier suggests it may be a contemporary depiction of Adam and Eve.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Manufactured: in the mid- to late-17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.

    Current location: Petworth House, Petworth, West Sussex, England.

    Museum number: NT/PET/M/69 (part of the National Trust museum group)

    Citation: Carpentier, H., 1912, Plaques de Cheminées (Paris, published by the author).

  3. 581

    pet-m-72.jpg
    429 x 612 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Arched rectangular central panel with arch and bead-on-fillet edging; pictorial representation of a popinjay, or parrot, perched on a ring suspended by a string, the bird is clutching an olive twig, two others are below; arched rectangular border with arch; cavetto-moulded edging;to left and right, a Corinthian column with twisted lower part, and an entablature above; at top, a central flower with scrolls descending on both sides of the arch; on top, n orb, repeated on each shoulder of the plate.

    Notes: The inscription is a mis-spelling of the German for parrot; the parrot on the ring perch is a popular design on Dutch firebacks.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: PAPEGEI

    Manufactured: in the mid- to late-17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.

    Current location: Petworth House, Petworth, West Sussex, England.

    Museum number: NT/PET/M/72 (part of the National Trust museum group)

  4. 1140

    va_58.jpg
    610 x 660 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Arched rectangular shape with arch on top; rebated fillet edging; below mirrored putti holding crossed fronds, the figure of St George slaying the dragon; on each side a flame-topped column.

    Notes: The central panel of what would otherwise have been a typical bordered fireback intended for the Dutch market.

    Manufactured: in the mid- to late-17th century in the Siegerland area of Germany.

    Current location: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, Kensington & Chelsea, London, England.

    Museum number: 797-1899 (part of the Victoria & Albert Museum museum group)