Firebacks

Description: Rectangular with pediment; ovolo moulded edging inside top of pediment and inside top and sides of rectangle; in pediment, four-petal flower; centre top of rectangle, four-petal rose; at each side, talbot crest within wreath and eight-pointed star.

Notes: The wreath and talbot crest are identical to those on a 1584 fireback in the Victoria & Albert Museum; one of the ‘Royal’ series. The dimensions of this fireback are larger than those of the three other firebacks of a similar style in this series, and the flower stamps have not been seen on other backs in the 'Royal' series.

Description: Arched rectangular shape; fillet edging (top and sides); twisted rope cross in centre of arch; fillet-edged square below arch containing initials of uneven size; along the top, a line of five quatrefoils on each side of the initials; below, two symmetrically carved roundels and associated spandrels, each with a central flower.

Notes: The quatrefoils and roundels are likely to have been part of a redundant, probably medieval, furniture panel, perhaps from a chest. The life-size rubbing, reinforced with ink, is by W. R. Lethaby. The fireback was formerly property of the artist John Callcott Horsley RA (1817-1903) at Wilsley Green, Cranbrook, Kent.

Inscription: PC