Firebacks

Shape: rectangular with five-facetted arch

  1. 175

    brightwells,_leominster_16_mar_2016_lot_704.jpg
    1067 x 803 mm

    Description: Quasi-arched rectangular with 5-facetted arch; cyma recta moulded edging (top and sides); in the centre, an oval Tudor royal shield on a cartouche surrounded by a garter, a crown above, separating the initials, ER, all on a larger cartouche.

    Notes: 'SOIT' in the Garter motto is incorrectly spelled 'SOTI'. An example at Chiddingstone in Kent (no. 260) has additional circular, crowned armorial stamps, linking it to firebacks dating from 1589. Brightwells auction, Leominster, 16 Mar 2016, lot 704 (£220).

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: E / HONI SOTI QVI MAL Y PENCE / R

    Arms: Tudor royal (Elizabeth I)

    Manufactured: in the late-16th century in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: not known.

  2. 260

    chiddingstone,_pilbeams.jpg
    1060 x 760 mm

    Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shape, with 5-facetted arch; cyma recta moulded edge; oval Tudor royal shield on a cartouche surrounded by a garter, a crown above separating the initials, ER, all on a larger cartouche; on either side a circular Tudor royal shield within a garter, with a crown above each.

    Notes: The word ‘PENSE’ in the garter mottoes is differently spelled on the central stamp — ‘PENCE’ - and the outer stamps — ‘PANSE’ (where the ‘N’ is reversed). Also 'SOIT' in the Garter motto on the central cartouche is incorrectly spelled 'SOTI'. The outer stamp has been noted on three firebacks dated 1589. Three horizontal planklines on central cartouche.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: ER [and Garter mottoes]

    Arms: Tudor royal

    Manufactured: in the late-16th century in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: in private hands, Chiddingstone, Kent, England.

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).

    Citation: Schubert, H. R., 1950, 'A Rare Group of Wealden Firebacks', Journal of the Iron & Steel Institute, 165, pp. 39-40.

  3. 150

    hastings_033.jpg
    1016 x 641 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular with pentagonal arch; stepped fillet edging; six fleurs de lys - three in line at base of arch, two near top corners of rectangle, one in middle of rectanngle.

    Notes: Other firebacks based on the same shape but with different edging suggests the use of a common base board, but with the edging and other decoration varied to order.

    Manufactured: in the late-16th century in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, John's Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings, East Sussex, England.

    Museum number: HASMG: 1908.175 (part of the Hastings Museum museum group)

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).