Fireback
16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Despite the Dutch inscriptions on this fireback, firebacks were not made in Flanders or the Netherlands, there being neither iron ore nor sufficient fuel. This fireback would have been cast in Germany for the Dutch market.
The fireback has four allegorical figures and inscriptions in Dutch: Justice holds scales with an inscription translating as 'It is a treasure that trust is lighter than a feather'; Faith holds a hawk and has an inscription, 'I chase round the winds in order to find trust'. Beneath them are Injustice and Infidelity with fighting dogs and the inscriptions 'Distrust runs everywhere' and 'Trust is dead, distrust is elevated'. Allegorical material, such as the Virtues and Vices, was popular subject-matter for firebacks.
The fireback has four allegorical figures and inscriptions in Dutch: Justice holds scales with an inscription translating as 'It is a treasure that trust is lighter than a feather'; Faith holds a hawk and has an inscription, 'I chase round the winds in order to find trust'. Beneath them are Injustice and Infidelity with fighting dogs and the inscriptions 'Distrust runs everywhere' and 'Trust is dead, distrust is elevated'. Allegorical material, such as the Virtues and Vices, was popular subject-matter for firebacks.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast iron |
| Brief description | Fireback, with four allegorical figures and inscriptions in Dutch, cast iron, Germany (made for the Dutch market), 16th century. |
| Physical description | Cast iron fireback, with four allegorical figures and inscriptions in Dutch, madein Germany for the Dutch market |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Four allegorical figures and inscriptions in Dutch:
Justice holds scales with an inscription translating as, 'It is a treasure that trust is lighter than a feather';
Faith holds a hawk and has an inscription, 'I chase round the winds in order to find trust'.
Beneath them are Injustice and Infidelity with fighting dogs and the inscriptions, 'Distrust runs everywhere' and 'Trust is dead, distrust is elevated'. |
| Gallery label | [Content superseded]
FIREBACK
Cast iron
Flanders; 16th century
With four allegorical figures and inscriptions in Dutch: Justice holds scales with an inscription translating as 'It is a treasure that trust is lighter than a feather'; Faith holds a hawk and has an inscription, 'I chase round the winds in order to find trust'. Beneath them are Injustice and Infidelity with fighting dogs and the inscriptions 'Distrust runs everywhere' and 'Trust is dead, distrust is elevated'. Allegorical material, such as the Virtues and Vices, was popular subject-matter for firebacks. Other versions of this pattern exist in museums in Nancy, Arlon and Amiens (France).
Museum No. 142-1898(07/1994) |
| Object history | Despite the Dutch inscriptions on this fireback, firebacks were not made in Flanders or the Netherlands, there being neither iron ore nor sufficient fuel. This fireback would have been cast in Germany for the Dutch market. The fireback has four allegorical figures and inscriptions in Dutch: Justice holds scales with an inscription translating as 'It is a treasure that trust is lighter than a feather'; Faith holds a hawk and has an inscription, 'I chase round the winds in order to find trust'. Beneath them are Injustice and Infidelity with fighting dogs and the inscriptions 'Distrust runs everywhere' and 'Trust is dead, distrust is elevated'. Allegorical material, such as the Virtues and Vices, was popular subject-matter for firebacks. Other versions of this pattern exist in museums in Nancy, Arlon and Amiens (France). |
| 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 | Despite the Dutch inscriptions on this fireback, firebacks were not made in Flanders or the Netherlands, there being neither iron ore nor sufficient fuel. This fireback would have been cast in Germany for the Dutch market. The fireback has four allegorical figures and inscriptions in Dutch: Justice holds scales with an inscription translating as 'It is a treasure that trust is lighter than a feather'; Faith holds a hawk and has an inscription, 'I chase round the winds in order to find trust'. Beneath them are Injustice and Infidelity with fighting dogs and the inscriptions 'Distrust runs everywhere' and 'Trust is dead, distrust is elevated'. Allegorical material, such as the Virtues and Vices, was popular subject-matter for firebacks. |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 142-1898 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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