Firebacks

Description: Rectangular; cavetto moulded edging; initials in top left corner; date in top right corner.

Notes: The style of lettering and numerals is reminiscent of those seen on firebacks associated with the Sidneys, Earls of Leicester, and may suggest a common source.

Inscription: IB 1695

Description: Arched rectangular shape; fillet edging; broad, fillet-edged central panel with pictorial landscape and battle scene; on top, above a cone of laurel leaves, a crown supported by two putti, each holding a plant stem; on each side, a flower and fruit festoon suspended on a ribbon from a ring; at the bottom , inscription on a scroll.

Notes: The pictorial scene is alleged to be the Siege of Namur of 1695 in which British and Dutch forces, under the leadership of William III, defeated the French forces of Louis XIV, however details of the scene more closely resemble those seen in images of the Siege of Vienna in 1683, an iconic victory of the Christian powers over the Ottoman Turks.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: NON[...]ROSEDARMIS / N ANNO 1695 L

Description: Arched rectangular shape; fillet edging; blank arched rectangular central panel with rebated fillet edging; on top, above a cone of laurel leaves, a crown supported by two putti, each holding a plant stem; on each side, a flower and fruit festoon suspended on a ribbon from a ring; at the bottom , inscription on a scroll.

Notes: A border panel, usually incorporated with a separate pictorial central panel.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: [...]O 1695

Description: Quasi-arched rectangular shape; on a ground, an armorial achievement comprising a central cartouche on which is an oval shield bearing the arms of the Cavendish family, with graduated bead edging; supporters, two stags rampant; above the cartouche, on a wreath a coiled snake crest surmounted by an earl’s coronet; the date split either side of the crest; to each side, a column with foliate capital supporting a three-sided arch with ovolo-moulded edging, on each shoulder of which is a flaming orb.

Notes: The arms are those of the Earls of Devonshire. However, the date relates to William Cavendish (1640-1707), previously 4th Earl and created 1st Duke of Devonshire in 1694. An earlier casting (no. 246) has a date of 1657, the second pair of numerals having been changed. Christie's auction 3 Dec 2014 lot 15 (dated incorrectly as 1693) (£1,875).

Inscription: 1695

Arms: William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Devonshire, as 4th Earl of Devonshire