Firebacks

Manufactured in 1586

  1. 117

    hastings_007.jpg
    724 x 622 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular with triangular pediment; stepped fillet and ogee moulded edge to pediment; twisted rope sides; date in portico; medallion with dog crest stamped twice in top left and right corners.

    Notes: It may be that the date and portico form a separate panel, as the position of the date appears to be the same on the three known castings where it is found.

    Inscription: 1586

    Manufactured: in 1586 in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, John's Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings, East Sussex, England.

    Museum number: HASMG: 1917.196.5 (part of the Hastings Museum museum group)

  2. 118

    hastings_008.jpg
    730 x 580 mm
    Image subject to copyright

    Description: Rectangular with triangular pediment; stepped fillet and ogee moulded edge; initials in rectangular panel (F reversed); date in portico.

    Notes: The triangular top is a separate element, in this instance impressed before the lower panel. A variant at the Victoria and Albert Museum (no. 771) has the letters positioned slightly differently. A version of this fireback, with a rope-edged panel in the lower part, and medallion stamps, can also be seen at Hastings. Formerly part of the Ade Collection (from Grove Hill, Hellingly, Sussex).

    Inscription: 1586 F M

    Manufactured: in 1586 in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Hastings Museum and Art Gallery, John's Place, Bohemia Road, Hastings, East Sussex, England.

    Museum number: HASMG: 1952.51.58 (part of the Hastings Museum museum group)

    Citation: Hodgkinson, J. S., 2010, British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries (Crawley, Hodgers Books).

    Citation: Lloyd, N., 1925, 'Domestic Ironwork I', Architectural Review, 58, pp. 58-67.

  3. 1060

    london_metropolitan archives 01a.jpg
    ? x ? mm

    Description: Central shield bearing a lion rampant reguardant, with esquire's helm and crest of a seated hawk, surrounded by foliage and tasselled ribbons; twisted rope edging at each side; the shape of the fireback is dictated by the decorative elements; initials split by shield, the date similarly split below the initials.

    Notes: Drawing of a fireback from old premises, formerly a baker's, opposite 20 Love Lane (later known as Lovat Lane), which ran between Eastcheap and Lower Thames Street; the arms appear to be those of the Morrice family (blazon: gules, a lion rampant reguardant or). Drawn by Charles Raymond Booth Barrett, 1891. A fireback of unique design.

    Inscription: W M / 15 86

    Arms: Morrice or Maurice

    Manufactured: in 1586 possibly in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: not known.

    Museum number: SC/GL/PR/370/LOV/1/q7706298 (part of the London Metropolitan Archives museum group)

    Citation: Windyer Morris, G. T., 4 Oct 1902, 'Arms on Fireback', Notes and Queries, 9th series, 10, p. 278.

  4. 771

    va_47.jpg
    730 x >590 mm

    Description: Rectangular with triangular pediment; stepped fillet and ogee moulded edge; initials in rectangular panel (F reversed); date in pediment.

    Notes: The triangular top is a separate element, in this instance impressed before the lower panel. A variant at Hastings Museum (no. 118) has the letters positioned slightly differently.

    Inscription: 1586 / FM

    Manufactured: in 1586 in the Weald area of England.

    Current location: Victoria & Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, Kensington & Chelsea, Greater London, England.

    Museum number: M.129-1913 (part of the Victoria & Albert Museum museum group)