Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular shaped with fillet and cavetto dentil moulding, and paternost bead edging inside; a lion rampant

Notes: Whole pattern. An unusually tall fireback in relation to its width.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shape with swirled and draped foliage across the top; fillet edging with bottom panel containing indistinct floral scrolls; figure of Plenty/Abundance holding a bunch of fruit, accompanied on her left by a cherub, and receiving a further bunch of fruit from a faun to her right; two cherubs hold foliage aloft.

Notes: The figure of Plenty is one of the representations in the Iconologia, published in the early 17th century by Cesare Ripa, and subsequently in other editions. They frequently form the subject of firebacks.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Description: Inclined arched rectangular shape' bevelled fillet edging; cartouche shield of the arms of the baronetcy of Dryden of Canons Ashby.

Arms: Dryden family, probably Sir Henry Edward Leigh Dryden Bt.

Description: Composite; Arched rectangular shaped, armorial fireback, cavetto edging, with Stuart Royal arms, garter, supporters, crown and motto, and 1639 date above crown; this overlies a rectangular plate, with rope-effect, fillet edging; a pattern of four rosettes surrounding a fleur-de-lys, its stem terminating in a small buckle, is repeated on each side of the central armorial fireback, with the initials above; each rosette is stamped separately.

Notes: The armorial may originally have been one of the 1619 series. Formerly at Wonastow Court, Momouthshire

Inscription: 1639 / G / HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE / DIEV ET MO DROIT

Arms: English Stuart royal

Description: Rectangular with superimposed arch; embattled, cavetto moulded edging, with the top edge of the rectangle interrupted; shield, garter, crown, supporters and motto of the English Royal house of Stuart; rose and thistle plants above lion and unicorn supporters respectively; initials split by crown; date below garter.

Notes: A different version is at Newick Park, Sussex (no. 502).

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: I R / HONI S OIT QVI MAL Y ..ENSE / 16 19

Arms: English Stuart royal

Description: Arched rectangular shaped; cavetto moulded edging, scalloped top and sides; Prince of Wales’ badge of three ostrich feathers emerging through a coronet; symmetrical scroll with elaborate swirls, bearing motto; monogrammed initials at bottom, left of centre.

Notes: The scalloped edging and RN monogram have been noted on other firebacks, suggesting a common pattern maker. Formerly from Burwash, Sussex.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: ICH DIEN / RN

Description: Arched rectangular shaped; astragal edging; shield bearing a saltire, beneath a baron’s coronet; date and initials split by shield.

Notes: The shield, coronet and initials may be those of George Nevill, 12th Baron Bergavenny (1665-95); the Neville arms has a rose in the centre but if the shield were a painted carving, the rose may have been painted and not carved.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 16 72 / G B

Arms: George Nevill, 12th baron Bergavenny

Description: Upon a rectangular base plinth, wide scrolled side fillets with foliage about the scrolls and suspended bell flowers in chain above; central cartouche behind an oval shield bearing three fleurs-de-lys surmounted by a French royal crown; on top, an arch rising from horizontal moulding on each side.

Notes: Characteristic of designs illustrated by architects such as Daniel Marot.

Arms: French royal

Description: Arched rectangular shape with crown, top centre; central peacock, its tail feathers displayed, with two other peacocks below, their tail feathers down; name across top of arch, split by initial, R; date ato bottom below tail feathers.

Notes: Manufactured by Seager's of Dartford, Kent

Inscription: CHARLES FRANCIS / R / 1967

Description: Arched rectangular shaped with narrow shoulders; fillet edging; date in individual numerals across arch.

Notes: A larger version is different in the spacing of the numerals and the proportions of the plate. For another casting of this fireback see J. Every Collection catalogue #20 (Sussex Archaeological Society library, Barbican House, Lewes, Sussex).

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 1658