Fireback thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Fireback

1586 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This is part of a cast iron fireback made in England and dated 1586. The mouldings from wooden panelling have been pressed into the sand casting bed to form the border pattern. The initials FM are probably those of the owner. The F has been cast into the fireback in reverse possibly by mistake, although another version of this fireback is known.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast iron
Brief description
Part of a fireback, cast iron with the initials 'FM' (the F reversed) and a border pattern from the mouldings of wooden panelling, made in England, dated 1586
Physical description
Part of a cast iron fireback, the mouldings from wooden panelling pressed into the sand casting bed to form the border pattern. The initials FM are probably those of the owner, the F reversed.
Dimensions
  • Height: 610mm
  • Width: 740mm
  • Depth: 40mm
Marks and inscriptions
'FM' (Initials, probably those of the owner. The 'F' is reversed.)
Gallery label
[Superseded content] PART OF A FIREBACK Cast iron England; dated 1586 Mouldings from wooden panelling have been pressed into the sand casting bed to form the border pattern. The initials FM are probably those of the owner. The F has been inverted by mistake. Gift of A.E. Anderson Museum No. M.129-1913(07/1994)
Credit line
Given by A. E. Anderson
Object history
Part of a cast iron fireback. The mouldings from wooden panelling have been pressed into the sand casting bed to form the border pattern. The initials FM are probably those of the owner. The F has been cast into the fireback in reverse possibly by mistake, although another version of this fireback with the same arrangement is in the Hastings Museum and Art Gallery.
Historical context
The museum is grateful for images and information supplied by the researcher and author, Jeremy Hodgkinson FSA, 30 March 2022
Subject depicted
Summary
This is part of a cast iron fireback made in England and dated 1586. The mouldings from wooden panelling have been pressed into the sand casting bed to form the border pattern. The initials FM are probably those of the owner. The F has been cast into the fireback in reverse possibly by mistake, although another version of this fireback is known.
Bibliographic references
  • Lloyd, N. Domestic Ironwork. I. Firebacks. Archaeological Review. LVIII, 1925. pp.58-67. Fig.3(c).
  • Hodgkinson, Jeremy. British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries. Crawley: HodgersBooks. 2010 fig. 130, pp.114, 238
Collection
Accession number
M.129-1913

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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