Firebacks

382mm wide

  1. 77

    guildford_museum 02.jpg
    382 x 610 mm

    Description: 'Dutch' style; arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead edging, two children sitting astride a beast (possibly a winged ram); arched rectangular shaped border, fillet edging, swags of fruit bunches suspended from ribbon; on top, symmetrical floral swirls and flowers.

    Notes: The image is probably intended to be Phrixus and Helle riding the winged ram with the golden fleece, but in recasting it has been misinterpreted as the young Samson slaying the lion at Timnath; Judges 14: 5-6.

    Copies of this fireback are known.

    Inscription: 16 NDW 97 / DER JUNGE SAMSON [the young Samson]

    Manufactured: in the late 17th to early 18th century possibly in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Guildford Museum, Guildford, Surrey, England.

    Museum number: G.486 (part of the Guildford Museum museum group)