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. The arms are indistinct but appear to be the Stuart arms of the reign of Queen Anne before the union with Scotland in 1707, which were anachronistic by 1732. Also, the superposition of a ducal coronet in place of the royal crown is unusual. Sowley Furnace, near Beaulieu in Hampshire, was owned in 1732 by John, 2nd Duke of Montagu, and was let to Miles Troughton. Criterion Auctions, Islington, 7 Jan 2019.

Inscription: HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE / SOWLEY MDCCXXXII

Arms: Stuart royal (1707-14) France/England, Scotland and Ireland

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