Stove Plate thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Stove Plate

ca. 1600 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Iron stoves were probably first developed in fifteenth-century Germany, and gave off significant heat. They consisted of iron plates bolted together and were basically free-standing box-shaped structures which contained the burning fuel.The stove-plates were made in the same way as firebacks, although thinner and lighter. Iron to be used for casting had to be heated to liquid form, which required a very high temperature. The patterns on firebacks and stove-plates were created by pressing one or more pattern-moulds into a bed of sand. After removing the moulds, the liquid iron was then poured in and allowed to cool.

Moulds for firebacks and stove plates were generally made of carved wood. Designs for stoves often depicted Biblical subjects, as on this, which shows the Marriage feast at Cana in Galilee, when Christ turned water into wine ( Gospel of St John, chapter 2).


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast iron
Brief description
Stove-plate, cast iron, Germany, ca. 1600, showing the Biblical scene of the Marriage Feast at Cana in Galilee
Physical description
Rectangular, the scene depicted is framed by a raised border, which has two notches on each of the vertical sides.The Biblical scene of the Marriage feast at Cana in Galilee is shown, at which Christ turned water into wine. Twelve fashionably dressed figures are crowded around a laden table, with six flagons in the foreground, and an inscriptionn at the base.
Dimensions
  • Height: 535mm
  • Width: 710mm
  • Depth: 25mm
Marks and inscriptions
HISTORIA.VON.DER. HOCHZEIT. ZU CANA IN GALILEA.JOHAN.2
Translation
The story of the wedding at Cana in Galilee. [ Gospel of St.] John, [chapter] 2
Gallery label
STOVE PLATE Cast iron Germany; c. 1605 With the New Testament story of the Marriage Feast at Cana in Galilee (John, chapter 2) at which Christ turned water into wine. The model for this plate was made by Master Ronnung who had a worshop in the Harz region of Germany, c. 1600. Another example of this pattern exists on a stove in Schmalkalden, Germany, dated 1605. Museum No. 319-1897(07/1994)
Object history
Iron stoves were probably first developed in fifteenth- century Germany, and gave off significant heat. They consisted of iron plates bolted together and were basically free-standing box-shaped structures which contained the burning fuel.The stove-plates were made in the same way as firebacks, although thinner and lighter. Iron to be used for casting had to be heated to liquid form, which required a very high temperature The patterns on firebacks were created by pressing one or more pattern-moulds into a bed of sand. After removing the moulds, the liquid iron was then poured in and allowed to cool. Moulds for firebacks were generally made of carved wood.
Historical context
The museum is grateful for images and information supplied by the researcher and author, Jeremy Hodgkinson FSA, 30 March 2022
Production
This subject was popular on German stove plates
Subject depicted
Summary
Iron stoves were probably first developed in fifteenth-century Germany, and gave off significant heat. They consisted of iron plates bolted together and were basically free-standing box-shaped structures which contained the burning fuel.The stove-plates were made in the same way as firebacks, although thinner and lighter. Iron to be used for casting had to be heated to liquid form, which required a very high temperature. The patterns on firebacks and stove-plates were created by pressing one or more pattern-moulds into a bed of sand. After removing the moulds, the liquid iron was then poured in and allowed to cool.

Moulds for firebacks and stove plates were generally made of carved wood. Designs for stoves often depicted Biblical subjects, as on this, which shows the Marriage feast at Cana in Galilee, when Christ turned water into wine ( Gospel of St John, chapter 2).
Bibliographic references
  • Campbell, Marian. An Introduction to Ironwork. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1985. 48 p., ill. ISBN 0112904157 fig.59, p.10
  • Gloag, John and Derek Bridgwater. A history of cast iron in architecture. London : G. Allen and Unwin. 1948. 395p., ill. fig.24, p.25
  • Continental Ironwork of the Renaissance and later , J.Starkie Gardner, London, rev. edn. 1930, chapter 2
  • Decorative Ironwork, Marian Campbell, London 1997, pp. 72-79, and pl. 119
Collection
Accession number
319-1897

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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