Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead-and-pellet edging on a wide fillet; central pedestal with a serpent fountain ringed with water, and two swans swimming, plants rising from the waves; above, swags of drapery with two central tassels; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging, symmetrical floral fronds descending from a rose, top centre, with a looped 'W' in each shoulder; inscription at base, beteen date; on top, symmetrical scrolled plant tendrils. A single vertical plankline right of centre.

Notes: One of a group of firebacks all of the same date, some of which have the same Welsh inscription which translates as 'God is our strength'. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. The design is taken from 'Nouveaux livres de ...Fontaines [etc.]' (La Haye & Amsterdam 1702-5) by Daniel Marot (1661-1752). Formerly at Allt-y-ferin, Nantgaredig, Carmarthenshire.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 DVW Ydyw Ein Cadernid 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead-and-pellet edging on a wide fillet; crowned figure, holding a sceptre in his right hand, sitting in a chariot drawn to the left by two, caparisoned horses with ostrich feather head-dresses; the whole upon a three-arched bridge with keystones and a string course, waves beneath; above, swagged drapery with two tassels hanging from the centre; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging, symmetrical, descending oak leaf and acorn branches, with a looped 'W' in each shoulder; inscription at base; on top, symmetrical scrolled plant tendrils and berries. A single central vertical plankline.

Notes: One of a series produced in the same year. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. The design is derived from a personification of Europe, one of a set of playing cards entitled Jeu de la Géographie, designed by Stefano della Bella for Louis XIV. The inscription translates as 'God is our strength'.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 DVW Ydyw Ein Cadernid 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead-and-pellet edging on a wide fillet; ground with birds, and trees behind; in the centre a circular fountain rim with a swan on a plinth surrounded by water, with jets of water rising from the swan’s mouth and descending on either side; above, a heron and a goose fly to the left; under the arch, swags of drapery; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging, symmetrical floral fronds descending from a scallop shell, top centre, with a looed 'W' in each shoulder; inscription at base between date; on top, symmetrical scrolled plant tendrils. A single central vertical plankline.

Notes: One of a group of firebacks, all of the same date, some of which have the same Welsh inscription which translates as 'God is our strength'. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. The design is derived from an illustration in Labyrinthe de Versailles by Charles Perrault (1677); the flying heron is copied from a print by Wenceslaus Hollar c.1658.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 DVW Ydyw Ein Cadernid 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with solid and hollow bead on fillet edging, grouped alternately in threes and twos respectively, on a wide fillet; on a Tuscan pedestal rising from waves, a narrow waisted, gadrooned flower vase with two scrolled handles and a horizontal banded decoration from which issue tendrils bearing flowers, berries and seed pods; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging, wide at the sides, symmetrical floral fronds descending from a scallop shell, top centre, with a scallop shell inside each shoulder; at base, date split between two looped 'W' figures; on top, symmetrical scrolled plant tendrils descending from a central scallop shell.

Notes: The third largest of six flower vase firebacks designed and made in the same year, larger ones of which include a religious inscription in Welsh. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. Cheffins auction, Cambridge, 13 Jun 2018, lot 738 (£240).

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead-and-pellet on fillet edging; beneath swagged curtains, a basket containing a variety of fruit - plums, apples, pears and grapes - resting on a table draped with a fringed cloth; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging and symmetrical foliate tendrils; date in bottom corners split betwen foliate tendrils incorporating looped 'W' shapes; on top, symmetrical scrolled plant tendrils.

Notes: One of a series of firebacks made originally in 1724. The basket of fruit was probably inspired by still-life paintings by European artists of the first half of the 17th century. Formerly at Salem, Massachusetts.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with top corners cavetto canted, bead-and-pellet edging on a wide fillet; hanging drapery with central tassels over three low-arched cubicles, the two outer smaller than the centre, with Tuscan columns and overlapping scales behind; on a plinth of overlapping scales with a scallop shell behind, the standing figure of Neptune/Poseidon, holding a trident in his right hand; water issues from by his feet and from the waves below him disport two ‘sea horses’ and three dolphins; arched rectangular shaped border with top corners cavetto canted, fillet edging: suspended symmetrical beads with tassel ends decorated with sea shells; between two looped 'W' figures, the inscription separating halves of the date along the bottom; above, a central scallop shell with symmetrical floral scrolls on each side.

Notes: From a design in 'Nouveaux livres de ...Statues [etc.]' (La Haye & Amsterdam 1702-5), by Daniel Marot. The inscription, translated as 'GOD is our strength', is a paraphrase of Psalm 46: 1; the original wooden pattern is in Museum Rotterdam (no. 931}; an identical inscription and date is found on several firebacks. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. Formerly at Dogwells Farmhouse, Corscombe, Dorset; other examples are at Leith Hill Place, Surrey, and Lower Brockhampton farmhouse, Herefordshire, the latter having originally been in Dunster Castle, Somerset.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 DVW Ydyw Ein Cadernid 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel with bead edging on a wide fillet; two-handled vase with assorted flowers on a stand with scrolled legs; a plant pot on each side; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging, symmetrical floral fronds descending from a rose, top centre, with a looped 'W' in each shoulder; inscription at base; on top, symmetrical scrolled plant tendrils.

Notes: One of the two largest of six flower vase designs in this series. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. The inscription, known from other firebacks in the series, translates as 'God is our strength'. Dore & Rees Auctions, Frome, 6 Dec 2024, lot 93 (£130).

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 DVW Ydyw Ein Cadernid 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead-and-pellet on fillet edging, narrow-necked, two-handled urn with flowers and wheat ears issuing therefrom, the vase resting on paving, upon which are two small flowers in pots with a stool between; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging and symmetrical floral tendrils, a looped 'W' in each shoulder; on top, mirrored leaves, tendrils and wheat ears; inscription along bottom of border.

Notes: One of the two largest of six flower vase designs in this series. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. The inscription translates as 'God is our strength'. Illustration from Goodwin-Smith, 1936 (from the Bratt Colbran collection).

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 DVW Ydyw Ein Cadernid 24

Description: 'Dutch' style; arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead on fillet edging, naturalistic scene of a heron with wings extended catching a fish, water below, clouds above, plants in background; arched rectangular shaped border, fillet edging, symmetrical scrolled tendril pattern; at bottom, two looped 'W' figures between date split corners; on top, symmetrical scrolled foliage. A single central vertical plankline.

Notes: The image of the heron is taken from a print, by Wenceslaus Hollar c.1658, of an etching by Francis Barlow (c.1626-1704); the style of the date suggests a similar pattern maker to a series of firebacks, of the same date, some bearing a Welsh inscription. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. The small size of this fireback makes it likely that it was intended to be fixed to the back of a grate.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 24

Description: Arched rectangular shaped central panel, bead on fillet edging, narrow-necked urn with flowers issuing therefrom; arched rectangular shaped border with fillet edging and symmetrical floral swags; on top, stylised fish with floral accessories; at bottom, two looped 'W' figures between split date in bottom corners. A faint plankline, slightly inclined from the vertical and more evident on a later casting, can be seen slightly left of centre.

Notes: The second smallest of six flower vase designs in this series. All incorporate the looped 'W' motif which may be intended to identify the pattern maker. A clear vertical plankline left of centre.

Copies of this fireback are known.

Inscription: 17 24