Firebacks

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 version dated 1619 is proportioned slightly differently and has smaller rose and thistle plant stamps.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: I R / 16 21

Arms: English Stuart royal - James I

Description: Canted rectangle; fillet edging (top and sides); top centre, date between two 'rose' stamps.

Notes: The four nuts are to secure the fireback to two legs.

Inscription: 1658

Description: Fragment; rectangular plate with series of parallelogrammatic billets arranged across the top; crossed billets in corners

Description: Rectangular with detached pediment joined by S-curves; cavetto-moulded edging; shield, helm, bird crest and mantling, with date, 1635, split either side of crest; bottom of casting missing due to corrosion.

Notes: Tentatively identified as the arms of Brooke or Broke of Lapley, Staffordshire (blazon: chequy argent and sable, impaling a chevron between three estoiles); this fireback, or its pattern, have been used as a stamp on another fireback with a later date and initials added separately (see Fireback no. 831).

Inscription: 16 35

Arms: poss. Brooke of Staffordshire

Description: Plain plate; central shield, helm, crest and mantling of the Lewis family: quarterly 1st, sable a lion rampant argent (Lewis of Y Fan), 2nd, sable a chevron between three fleurs de lys or (Einon ap Collwyn), 3rd gules three chevronels argent(Iestyn ap Gwrgan), 4th, sable a chevron between three spear heads argent embrued gules (Bleddyn ap Maenyrch); initials split by armorial stamp (’E’ over-stamped); date, formed from single numerals, below arms.

Notes: The arms are those of Sir Edward Lewis, of Van, who purchased St Fagans Castle in 1616. The same armorial stamp was used to model the arms on a lead cistern outside the front door of the castle. It is possible that this fireback was cut down from a larger fireback.

Inscription: E L 1620

Arms: Sir Edward Lewis of Van

Description: Cavetto-canted rectangular shape; astragal edging (top and sides); letters in triad between separated date.

Notes: The distinctive style of the lettering may indicate a common source with another fireback of 1728.

Inscription: 17 TRS 31

Description: Arched rectangular shape with fillet edging; mirrored drapery swags emanating from two wings, and terminating in elongated tassels hung from hooks; date split by wings; initials split at bottom corners.

Notes: A simple design with space for further personalised decoration.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 16 87 / C S

Description: Cavetto-canted arched rectangular shape; rebated wide fillet edging; shield of Llewellyn impaling unidentified arms: (Llewellyn) Per fesse embattled, azure and or, a javelin erect, between two boars' heads erased in chief, and a like boar's head between two javelins in base, all counterchanged; below, scroll bearing the motto, Gwell angau na Chywilydd (Death before Dishonour), possibly inscribed after casting.

Notes: The arms were granted to Robert William Llewellyn of Court Colman and Baglan Hall, Glamorgan, in 1902.

Inscription: Gwell angau na Chywilydd

Arms: Llewellyn, of Court Colman, Glamorgan

Description: Canted rectangle; twisted rope edging (top and sides); top centre, crowned Tudor royal shield; fleur de lys on each side and below; slanting, inverted 'V' of twisted rope on each side of lower fleur.

Notes: One of a large series of firebacks incorporating Tudor heraldic stamps; the 'V' shapes may have apotropaic significance.

Arms: Tudor royal arms of England

Description: Rectangular with three sided arch; astragal edging; lion rampant crest beaneath a crown; the date split either side of the lion's head.

Notes: The evenness of the casting, the form of the crown and the lion all suggest that the date is spurious.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 16 39