Firebacks

Description: Rectangular shape; wide fillet and ogee-moulded edging; approximately top centre, initials RH, with date 1701 centred below.

Notes: The character set for the initials and date lacks uniformity, some carved crudely, others more carefully; the lettering differs from another fireback (see no. 1166), with the same initials and date, by the position and shape of the letter 'R'. Formerly at Nethercote, Netherfield Hill, East Sussex. The former location in the Netherfield area of these two firebacks suggests a possible association with Richard Hay, owner of land in that area at that time and ironmaster at Beech Furnace nearby.

Inscription: R H / 1701

Description: Rectangular shape with cavetto-moulded edging; top centre, initials in triad with date below; on each side, stamp formed of a small, wavy-arched rectangular fireback bearing a lion rampant between pilasters surmounted by burning cauldrons, beneath two mirrored putti holding branches; beneath the date, a stamp formed of a small arched-rectangular fireback laid on its left side with a burning cauldron on each shoulder and the faint figure of a bird in the centre.

Notes: The two identical fireback stamps on either side of the inscription have been noted elsewhere (see no. 210 Late Pictorial series 5); the centre and right fireback stamps have been impressed insufficiently; illustration from Country Life advertisement by T. Crowther & Son Ltd, 18 Oct 1984.

Inscription: TFE [triad] / 1701

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead on fillet edging and two tassels hanging from top of arch; pictorial image of a cherub with arrows in both hands sitting on a phoenix; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; scallop shell at top with descending ribbons and fruit clusters; date and monogram below central panel; bottom panel with inscription; on top, two sea serpents, with open buds on shoulders of recatngle.

Notes: The customary monogram on such firebacks is NDV. Several anglicised versions of this type of fireback exist. Formerly part of the J. H. Every collection.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 NDW 01 / VOGEL PHOENIX [bird phoenix]

Description: Rectangular shape; wide fillet and ogee-moulded edging; approximately top centre, initials RH, with date 1701 centred below.

Notes: A heavy casting, approx. 3cm thick; the character set for the initials and date lacks uniformity, some carved crudely, others more carefully; three horizontal planklines. The lettering differs from another fireback (see no. 1282), with the same initials and date, by the position and shape of the letter 'R'. Formerly in a house at Netherfield, East Sussex. The former location in the Netherfield area of these two firebacks suggests a possible association with Richard Hay, owner of land in that area at that time and ironmaster at Beech Furnace nearby.

Inscription: RH / 1701

Description: Arched rectangular central panel with bead edging; pictorial scene of the young Bacchus, a cup and bunch of grapes in his hands, seated on a barrel, surrounded by grape vines and buches, the date below the barrel, initials below, left and right; arched rectangular border with fillet edging; undulating vine design all round; on top, indistinguishable shape between two seated figures.

Notes: The seated figures on top are an unusual feature.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 1701 / A [?] AL