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937
Description: Arched rectangular shape; gadrooned edging (top and sides); initials, in separate stamps, at top of arch; date probably in separate stamps, below, split by spindle; spindle used as a stamp repeated three times, one between date and initial stamps, the other two below to left and right.
Notes: Makes use of the same backing board as other firebacks in this series, and is possibly a variant of another fireback of the same date and with the same three spindles but with other initials (q.v.); it may originate in the Cuckfield area of Sussex, where most examples have been noted; illustration from book. Noted at West Riddens Farm, Ansty, near Cuckfield, Sussex, in 1906.
Inscription: S WC / 16 22
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- gadrooned (edging)
- simple stamps
- carved pattern panels
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1622 possibly at Cuckfield furnace in the Weald area of England.
Current location:.
Citation: Harper, C. G., 1906, The Brighton Road (London, Chapman & Hall), p. 391.
- Attached to series:
- Spindle series
- Date & initials firebacks
- Spindle/distaff firebacks
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972
Description: Arched rectangular shape with ovolo-moulded edging and extensions to sides and top; central shield bearing arms with lion rampant supporters and motto scroll beneath; above, a marquesal coronet; date (over-pressed) in extension above main panel; inserted initials (slightly over-pressed) on either side of coronet.
Notes: The arms are of the family of Pierrepont, marquesses of Dorchester and later dukes of Kingston-upon-Hull, of Thoresby Hall, Nottinghamshire (blazon: argent semi of cinquefoils gules, a lion rampant sable), with the motto: Pie Repone Te (Place yourself piously), a pun on the name, Pierrepont. The original casting must have dated to between 1706 and 1715, during the marquisate, with the unidentified initials added to a subsequent casting which, in turn, is likely to have pre-dated the addition of the dated extensions which have obliterated 'Dutch'-style dolphins known to have surmounted the original.
Inscription: 1722 / I H / PIE REPONE TE
Arms: Pierrepont, Marquess of Dorchester
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- ovolo (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- extension panels
- armorial
- text
Manufactured: in 1722 in England.
Current location: Red Lodge, Park Row, Bristol, England.
Museum number: NX420 (part of the Bristol Museums, Galleries and Archives museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Personal armorial firebacks
- Pierrepont series
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340
Description: Arched rectangular shape; gadrooned edging (top and sides); initials, in separate stamps, at top of arch; date in separate stamps, split by central spindle, below; two different spindles used as stamps, one centrally between splitting initial stamps, the other repeated twice on each side, slightly lower; above each spindle a fleur-de-lys stamp.
Notes: The same base board was been used for other firebacks dating from 1622 and 1632, and the central spindle can be be seen on another firenback of 1644. Purchased by J. H. Every at Bigges Farm, Cuckfield, Sussex, in 1918.
Inscription: W B / 16 44
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- gadrooned (edging)
- simple stamps
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
- objects
Manufactured: in 1644 possibly at Cuckfield furnace in the Weald area of England.
Current location:.
Citation: Hughes, G. B., 1955, 'Old English Firebacks', Country Life, 117, 21 April, pp. 1056-60.
Citation: Hughes, G. B., May 1940, 'Old English Firebacks', Apollo, 31, 185, pp. 117-120.
- Attached to series:
- Spindle series
- Spindle/distaff firebacks
- Date & initials firebacks
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291
Description: Rectangular; astragal with cavetto-moulded edging (top and sides); date top centre; initials evenly-spaced below date; low-relief fleur de lys stamp repeated three times down each side, and in triangular arrangement below initials.
Notes: The initials may relate to William Boevey who was owner of Flaxley furnace from 1683-92. Another fireback with the same date and initials, and fewer fleurs, is also known.
Inscription: 1685 / W B
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- astragal with cavetto (edging)
- carved stamps
- heraldic
- text
Manufactured: in 1685 at Flaxley furnace in the Forest of Dean area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Flaxley, Gloucestershire, England.
Citation: Bick, D. E., Sept 1985, 'Firebacks', Period Homes Magazine, pp. 21-4.
- Attached to series:
- Boevey series
- Date & initials firebacks
- Fleur-de-lys stamp types
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190
Description: Arched rectangle; bevelled edge to arch and top of shoulders; initials at centre top of arch, in triangle 'S' at top; date below initials.
Notes: Possibly the work of David Robertson (1716-93), the King's Smith, whose iron grates are commonly to be found in houses designed by the prominent Scottish architects, Robert, John and James Adam, of whom he was a kinsman; the form of the plate is typical of grate-backs Robertson made in a variety of sizes, notably at Dumfries House, Ayrshire, although the lack of evidence of fixings suggest that this may have been made to be free-standing. Until 1756/7 Robertson had his forge in a tenement in Niddery's Wynd, Edinburgh, between High Street and Cow Gate, next door to John Adam's premises, although it is not known if he had a foundry there.
Inscription: S / W A / 1745
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1745 possibly in the Edinburgh area of Scotland.
Current location: Hill Top, Sawrey, Hawkshead, Hawkshead, Cumbria, England.
Museum number: NT/HIL.M.38 (part of the National Trust museum group)
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
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402
Description: Rectangular with pediment and frieze resting on fluted Tuscan pilasters; plain podium base; rectangular central panel with double fillet edge divided into four with central panel containing initials; date in tympanum.
Notes: An early example of the use of classical architectural elements in an English fireback.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: [1]568 / ER
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular with pediment (shape)
- none (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- architectural
- text
Manufactured: in 1568 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Anne of Cleves House, Southover High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, England.
Museum number: 1944.24.062 (part of the Sussex Archaeological Society museum group)
- Attached to series:
- 1568 Architectural series
- Date & initials firebacks
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499
Description: Arched rectangle; dentil ovolo-moulded edging; shield, supporters, coronet, helm, crest, mantling and motto of Viscount Montague; quarterly Browne, Albini, Fitzalan, Fitzalan of Clare, Warren, Maltravers, Nevill, Montagu, Monthermer, Inglethorpe, Burghe, Delapole, Bradeston, Tiptoft, Charleton and Kent (Plantagenet); supporters: two bears collared and chained; the crest: an eagle, the wings elevated and displayed.
Notes: The arms of either the 2nd (Anthony-Maria Browne, succ. 1592-1629) or 3rd viscount (Francis Browne succ. 1629-1682) - the 1st viscount was a Knight of the Garter and no garter is shown.
Copies of this fireback are known.
Inscription: VERITATE DUCE [Be led by Truth]
Arms: Viscount Montague
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- dentil ovolo (edging)
- whole carved pattern
- armorial
- text
Manufactured: in the late 16th to early 17th century in England.
Current location: Cowdray House, Midhurst, West Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Cowdray firebacks
- Personal armorial firebacks
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601
Description: Rectangular; astragal and fillet moulding on top and side edges; symmetrical layout of date and initials; date split between left and right sides, initials in middle, central letter in line with date, outer letters lower.
Notes: Typical lettering of early 18th century. K may relate to the surname, while the F and S may relate to the initials of husband and wife respectively
Inscription: 17 K 38 / F S
- Decoration tags:
- rectangular (shape)
- astragal & fillet (edging)
- individual letters
- individual numbers
- planklines
- text
Manufactured: in 1738 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: Mark Ripley Forge & Fireplaces, Northbridge Street, Robertsbridge, East Sussex, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date & initials firebacks
- 1730s-40s, date & initial series 2
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819
Description: Arched rectangular shape; cavetto moulding (top and sides); date in top corners; shield, supporters, coronet and motto of the Barony of Bergavenny.
Notes: The arms are those of William Nevill, 16th Baron Bergavenny, of Kidbrooke Park, Forest Row, Sussex; the arms have been modified by the omission of the motto below the compartment.
Inscription: 17 37
Arms: William Nevill, 16th Baron Bergavenny
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- cavetto (edging)
- carved stamps
- individual numbers
- armorial
- text
Manufactured: in 1737 in the Weald area of England.
Current location: in private hands, Greenham, Somerset, England.
- Attached to series:
- Bergavenny firebacks
- Personal armorial firebacks
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865
Description: Arched rectangle; twisted rope edging (top and sides); central date at bottom of arch.
Inscription: 1670
- Decoration tags:
- arched rectangular (shape)
- rope (edging)
- individual numbers
- text
Manufactured: in 1670 in England.
Current location: Church Street, Stow on the Wold, Oxfordshire, England.
- Attached to series:
- Date only firebacks