Fireback thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ironwork, Room 113

Fireback

1650-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Firebacks were used at the back of fireplaces, and served both to project the heat of the fire forward into a room and to protect the stonework or brickwork behind. References to them occur from at least the 15th century in England, but no dated examples are known before the 16th century.

Firebacks such as this one were designed for the Dutch market and cast in Germany, particularly in the area known as Siegerland. Following the accession of William III, many were exported to, and copied in England. The design may relate to the independence that the United Provinces gained in 1648 at the end of the Thirty Years War. Most firebacks of this design date from the 1650s or later.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast iron
Brief description
Fireback, the figure of Hollandia and a lion with the inscription 'PRO PATRIA' above, surmounted by a pomegranate border, cast iron, most likely made in Siegerlads, Germany for the Dutch market, 1650-1700.
Physical description
Cast iron fireback with the figure of Hollandia and the lion of the United Provinces, the inscription 'PRO PATRIA' above. Surmounted by an upper border incorporating pomegranates.
Dimensions
  • Height: 82.5cm
  • Width: 61cm
  • Depth: 2cm
Marks and inscriptions
'PRO PATRIA'
Gallery label
  • FIREBACK Cast iron Siegerland, Germany; 1650-1700 With the figure of Hollandia and the lion of the United Provinces (Netherlands). Firebacks like this were made in Germany for the Dutch market. Following the accession of William III, many were exported to England. The design may relate to the independence that the United Provinces gained in 1648. Most firebacks of this design date from the 1650s or later. Museum No. M.1411-1926(22/03/2022)
  • [Content superseded] FIREBACK Cast iron Netherlands; c. 1700 With the figure of Hollandia and the lion of the United Provinces. Pomegranates, symbols of the unity of many under one authority, frequently appear on the borders of Dutch firebacks, alluding to the unification of the Provinces in 1579. Several versions of this pattern exist, the earliest dated 1581 commemorating the Declaration of Independence. However, the pattern did not become popular in this country until after the accession of King William III in 1689. Museum No. M.1411-1926(07/1994)
Object history
Firebacks such as this one were designed for the Dutch market and cast in Germany, particularly in the area known as Siegerland. Following the accession of William III, many were exported to, and copied in England. The design may relate to the independence that the United Provinces gained in 1648 at the en dof the Thirty Years War. Most firebacks of this design date from the 1650s or later.
Historical context
The museum is grateful for images and information supplied by the researcher and author, Jeremy Hodgkinson FSA, 30 March 2022
Subjects depicted
Summary
Firebacks were used at the back of fireplaces, and served both to project the heat of the fire forward into a room and to protect the stonework or brickwork behind. References to them occur from at least the 15th century in England, but no dated examples are known before the 16th century.

Firebacks such as this one were designed for the Dutch market and cast in Germany, particularly in the area known as Siegerland. Following the accession of William III, many were exported to, and copied in England. The design may relate to the independence that the United Provinces gained in 1648 at the end of the Thirty Years War. Most firebacks of this design date from the 1650s or later.
Bibliographic references
  • Lloyd, N. Domestic Ironwork. I. Firebacks. Archaeological Review. LVIII, 1925. pp.58-67.
  • Roberts & Co. Trade Catalogue. Period Grates and Fireplace Accessories. 1925. Section IV, p.31, R.5.
Collection
Accession number
M.1411-1926

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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