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.
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 |
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Gallery label | [Superseded content]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 |
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Collection | |
Accession number | M.120-1914 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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