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).
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 |
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Marks and inscriptions | HISTORIA.VON.DER. HOCHZEIT. ZU CANA IN GALILEA.JOHAN.2
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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 |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 319-1897 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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