Firebacks

Shape: arched rectangular with two arched extensions

  1. 590

    richmond,_ham house 02.jpg
    685 x 558 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shape, semi-circular protrusions on top corners; cavetto-moulded edging; two mirrored scrolls inside arch; a phoenix in flames, its wings displayed and inverted.

    Notes: A variant (no. 895) bears the date, 1650, and the initials, IM; a loop normally at the top is absent, and careless pouring of the iron has obliterated some of the detail down the right side of the casting.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Manufactured: in the mid 17th century possibly at Brede Furnace in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Ham House, Richmond, Surrey, England.

    Museum number: 1139821 (part of the National Trust museum group)

  2. 895

    vero_beach, fl.jpg
    679 x 540 mm

    Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shape, semi-circular protrusions on top corners; cavetto-moulded edging looped at top; two mirrored scrolls inside arch; a phoenix in flames, its wings displayed and inverted; date, in two parts, in top corners; initials in bottom right corner.

    Notes: A variant (no. 590) lacks the date and the initials.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: 16 50 / IM

    Manufactured: in 1650 possibly at Brede Furnace in the Weald area of England.

    Current location:, not known.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2014, 'A Seventeenth-Century Sussex Woodcarver: The Evidence of Cast Ironwork', Regional Furniture, 28, pp. 39-48.