Firebacks

Description: Arched rectangular shape; Greek Key border with fillet edges; in high relief, in front of swagged drapery, the shield of, quarterly, France quartering England, Scotland and Ireland, surrounded by a Garter, and surmounted by a ducal coronet; below, the inscription in capitals.

Notes: The use of the Greek Key design as a border is believed to be unique for an English fireback. Although somewhat indistinct, the use of the Stuart royal arms and the ducal coronet can be explained by the fact that the fireback was one of a group cast for the 2nd Duke of Richmond, whose father, the 1st duke, was the illegitimate son of Charles II and Louise de Kéroualle. The Richmond arms were differenced from the Stuart royal arms by the addition of a bordure compony (the detail of which is not distinct on this casting). Sowley Furnace, near Beaulieu in Hampshire, was owned in 1732 by John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, and was let to Miles Troughton. Similar, but larger, variants of this fireback are at Goodwood House, the seat of the Dukes of Richmond, where this fireback is likely to have once been. Criterion Auctions, Islington, 7 Jan 2019, lot 128 (£50).

Inscription: HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE / SOWLEY MDCCXXXII

Arms: Duke of Richmond

Description: Rectangular; ovolo-moulded edging; inscription across top of plate, numerals, except '2', larger than letters, 'A' raised above 'I' and 'M'.

Notes: A late, and rather unsophisticated example of the use of individual stamps.

Inscription: 17 IAM 32

Description: Rectangular; no edging; top centre, inscription, FF, and date, 1732, separated by a small saltire.

Notes: The possibility exists that the initials are those of Francis Fairburn, whose descendants are known to have occupied the house where it lies.

Inscription: FFx1732