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.
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 |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'PRO PATRIA' |
| Gallery label |
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| 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 |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.1411-1926 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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