{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O324703"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O324703/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2012FV7738/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2012FV7738/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2012FV7738","copyright":"Image supplied by Jeremy Hodgkinson","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LX7830","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2022ND5590","copyright":"Image supplied by Jeremy Hodgkinson","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O324703/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O324703","accessionNumber":"M.77-1957","objectType":"Fireback","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Firebacks protected the back wall of the chimney from the flames and projected the heat forward. This 'Armada' fireback is so called only because its date coincides with that of the defeat of the Armada. The initials 'IFC' are those of the person for whom it was made, rather than those of the maker. Modern reproductions of this design are common. The bottom panel of plant roots and a star, with a rope edge, was probably added to later castings.","physicalDescription":"Fireback, cast iron, of rectangular form with arched top, the rim twisted. The face divided into four decorative sections; the central section comprising repeated panels each of an anchor, fleurs-de-lis and flowers; at each side a panel comprising an upright vine with grape bunches; the arched top with flowers, the initials 'IFC' and the date '1588'. The bottom panel of plant roots and a star, with a rope edge, was probably added to later castings.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Unknown","id":"A1848"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"iron","id":"AAT11002"}],"techniques":[{"text":"casting","id":"AAT53104"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Cast iron","categories":[{"text":"Metalwork","id":"THES48920"},{"text":"Ironwork","id":"THES251837"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":["2012FV7738","2019LX7830","2022ND5590"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"M","id":"THES397236"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Fireback","id":"AAT3985"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"No","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Sussex","id":"x41271"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"probably"}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"after 1588","earliest":"1589-01-01","latest":null},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":"Most likely later than the date cast into the fireback"}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Mrs S. Blackie","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"880","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"1050","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"50","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"Dated 1588","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Possibly a later casting given the addition of the base plate in the mould."},{"content":"Cast initials: IFC","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"These initials are likely to be those of the owner for whom this fireback was made rather than those of the maker."}],"objectHistory":"Firebacks protected the back wall of the chimney from the flames and projected the heat forward. This 'Armada' fireback is so called only because its date coincides with that of the defeat of the Armada. The initials 'IFC' are those of the person for whom it was made, rather than those of the maker. Modern reproductions of this design are common and the addition of the base plate in the mould suggests this may be a later casting.","historicalContext":"The museum is grateful for images and information supplied by the researcher and author, Jeremy Hodgkinson FSA, 30 March 2022","briefDescription":"Fireback, cast iron, an 'Armada' fireback, Sussex, dated 1588 but most likely later","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Campbell, Marian. <u>An Introduction to Ironwork</u>. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1985. 48 p., ill. ISBN 0112904157","id":"AUTH316061"},"details":"p.42, fig.57","free":""},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Jeremy Hodgkinson, \"Pre-Restoration Iron Firebacks\", <u>The Journal of the Antique Metalware Society</u>, Vol. 20, June 2012, pp. 2-15, ill. p. 9"},{"reference":{"text":"Hodgkinson, Jeremy. <u>British Cast-Iron Firebacks of the 16th to Mid-18th Centuries</u>. Crawley: HodgersBooks. 2010","id":"AUTH344846"},"details":"fig. 163, pp. 131, 243","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Fire","id":"x47334"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"[Superseded content]\n\nFIREBACK\nCast iron\nEngland; dated 1588\n\nThe anchors and the date suggest that the design was intended to commemorate the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The initials IFC are probably those of the owner rather than the ironfounder. It is one of a group of 'Armada' fire-backs which are still being reproduced today.\n\nGift of Mrs Blackie\nM.77-1957","date":{"text":"07/1994","earliest":"1994-07-01","latest":"1994-07-31"}}],"partNumbers":["M.77-1957"],"accessionNumberNum":"77","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1957,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-15","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":true}}