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

Fireback

ca. 1650 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Cast iron fireback, with St. George and the Dragon.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast iron
Brief description
Fireback, showing St George and the Dragon, cast iron, England, ca. 1650.
Physical description
Cast iron fireback, with St. George and the Dragon.
Dimensions
  • Height: 705mm
  • Width: 610mm
  • Depth: 25mm
Marks and inscriptions
Hagiographical / ornamental. St. George and the Dragon / 2 Cupid and Palms
Gallery label
FIREBACK Cast iron England; c. 1650 With St George and the Dragon, often used as a reference to the Triumph of Christianity over Paganism. The design was probably produced in England, but Dutch models may well have inspired the central image and arched top. Museum No. 797-1899(07/1994)
Historical context
The museum is grateful for images and information supplied by the researcher and author, Jeremy Hodgkinson FSA, 30 March 2022
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic references
  • Butterfield, W. Ruskin. Old Wealden Firebacks. The Connoisseur. Dec. 1916. pp.197-206.
  • Lloyd, N. Domestic Ironwork. I. Firebacks. Archaeological Review. LVIII, 1925. pp.58-67.
  • Starkie Gardner, J. Iron Casting in the Weald. Archaeologie. LVI, May 12th 1898. pp.133-164.
Collection
Accession number
797-1899

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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