Firebacks

Plaques de cheminées, Auteur Carpentier Henri, Editeur De Nobele

Firebacks

We have in our catalogue more that 250 models of old original and reproduced firebacks immediately available: this makes our collection of firebacks one of the largest in the world.

A fireback is a piece of heavy cast iron, sized in proportion to the fireplace and the fire, which is placed against the back wall of the fireplace. The primary function of a fireback is to protect the wall at the back of the fireplace. A secondary function is as a radiator of stored heat. A fireback thus may increase the efficiency of the fire.

The oldest firebacks date from the 15th century AD, the early days of iron casting. Early firebacks were decorated with simple designs derived from everyday objects; gradually were often displayed coats of arms of royalty, the church and aristocracy. Pictorial designs with religious themes were common in France and Germany. Later firebacks bore mythological and allegorical subjects, as well as scenes from nature. The increasing use of coal as a domestic heating fuel and some strict rules during the French Revolution period that prohibited owning firebacks with coats of arms of royalty caused a decline in many countries in the need for firebacks. We must wait until the second half of the 19th century to find high-quality firebacks.

Our copy of Plaques de cheminées, Auteur Carpentier Henri, Editeur De Nobele, 1967

Firebacks 00,0 to 16,1 in

Firebacks 16,2 to 18,8 in

Firebacks 18,9 to 20,9 in

Firebacks 21,0 to 24,5 in

Firebacks 24,6 to 25,9 in

Firebacks 26,0 to 28,4 in

Firebacks 28,4 to 30,7 in

Firebacks 30,8 to 35,5 in

Firebacks 30,9 to 40,2 in

Firebacks 40,5 to 78,7 In

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