Firebacks

429mm wide

  1. 581

    pet-m-72.jpg
    429 x 612 mm

    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)