Fireback thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Fireback

1525-1575 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Firebacks of cast iron protected the back wall of the chimney from the flames and projected the heat forward. This one was made by pressing a strip of carved wood into the sand casting bed, and under the tail of the middle bird the edges of the stamp are visible where it has been impressed too deeply.

This fireback is lavishly decorated with birds and vines. The birds were once thought to allude Nicholas Fowle, an ironmaster who was tenant of the furnace and forge at Riverhall, Wadhurst, Kent from at least 1547. The Fowle family of ironmasters produced firebacks with their own heraldic stamps. However, the birds, possibly swans, and the strips of undulating vines have been noted on several firebacks dating to before the Fowles were active in the iron trade.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast iron
Brief description
Fireback, cast iron, decorated with birds, made in England, probably Sussex, 1525-1575
Physical description
Fireback, cast iron. Of rectangular form, decorated overall with a wave and dot pattern, the upper part with a band of stylized birds.
Dimensions
  • Height: 53.2cm
  • Width: 77.5cm
  • Depth: 2.5cm
The measurement of depth approximate.
Gallery label
[Superseded content] FIREBACK Cast iron England; after 1547 The birds may be the badge or 'rebus' of Nicholas Fowle, an ironmaster who was temant of the furnace and forge at Riverhall, Wadhurst, Kent from at least 1547. There are several other versions of this design using birds and vines. This one was made by pressing a strip of carved wood into the sand casting bed, and under the tail of the middle bird the edges of the stamp are visible where it has been impressed too deeply. From the collection of Lady Dorothy Nevill Museum No. M.120-1914(07/1994)
Credit line
Given by Lady Dorothy Nevill
Object history
The birds were previously thought to allude Nicholas Fowle, an ironmaster who was tenant of the furnace and forge at Riverhall, Wadhurst, Kent from at least 1547. The Fowle family of ironmasters produced firebacks with their own heraldic stamps. However, the birds, possibly swans, and the strips of undulating vines have been noted on several firebacks dating to before the Fowles were active in the iron trade.

This one was made by pressing a strip of carved wood into the sand casting bed, and under the tail of the middle bird the edges of the stamp are visible where it has been impressed too deeply.
Historical context
The museum is grateful for images and information supplied by the researcher and author, Jeremy Hodgkinson FSA, 30 March 2022
Production
Probably made in Sussex
Subjects depicted
Summary
Firebacks of cast iron protected the back wall of the chimney from the flames and projected the heat forward. This one was made by pressing a strip of carved wood into the sand casting bed, and under the tail of the middle bird the edges of the stamp are visible where it has been impressed too deeply.

This fireback is lavishly decorated with birds and vines. The birds were once thought to allude Nicholas Fowle, an ironmaster who was tenant of the furnace and forge at Riverhall, Wadhurst, Kent from at least 1547. The Fowle family of ironmasters produced firebacks with their own heraldic stamps. However, the birds, possibly swans, and the strips of undulating vines have been noted on several firebacks dating to before the Fowles were active in the iron trade.
Bibliographic references
  • Campbell, Marian. An Introduction to Ironwork. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1985. 48 p., ill. ISBN 0112904157 p.42, fig.56
  • Gardner, John Starkie. Ironwork. Part 3: A complete survey of the artistic working of iron in Great Britain from the earliest times. London : Published under the authority of the H.M.S.O., 1922. 198 p., 46 p. of plates, ill. ISBN 0905209028. Fig.52, p.160
  • Gloag, John and Derek Bridgwater. A history of cast iron in architecture. London : G. Allen and Unwin. 1948. 395p., ill. Fig.18, p.21
  • Lloyd, N. Domestic Ironwork. I. Firebacks. Archaeological Review. LVIII, 1925. pp.58-67.
  • Starkie Gardner, J. Iron Casting in the Weald. Archaeologie. LVI, May 12th 1898. Fig.6, p.144-145.
  • Roberts & Co. Trade Catalogue. Period Grates and Fireplace Accessories. 1925. Section IV, p.32, R.32.
  • Sussex Archeological Collections II. pp.215-216.
  • Straker, E. Wealden Iron. pp.150, 275-6.
  • Hodgkinson, Jeremy. British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries. Crawley: HodgersBooks. 2010 fig. 25, pp. 62, 223
Collection
Accession number
M.120-1914

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest