Fireplace fireback

China Product


Functions of the fireback

The cast iron firebacks work on the same principle as heating radiators. The metal is heated (by hot water in the case of radiators and by the fire in the case of firebacks) and then that heat is radiated into the room. The thick iron keeps the heat that would else be lost and gives back this heat to the room. A fireback thus may increase the efficiency of the fire with as much as 50%. The thicker the fireback, the longer and softer this radiative effect.

A wood fire is of course never the most efficient use of heating. Yet, if you prefer the atmosphere of a open wood fire, the fireback helps to improve its efficiency. folding shop crane

Another important function of the fireback is the protection of the backside of the fireplace against burst and other damages. telescopic boom crane

Moreover, the old firebacks are often beautiful pieces of art and are therefore used for decorative purposes at the wall, or above the stove. honda pressure washer

Fireback in the house of Jeanne d'Arc Domrmy

History of firebacks

The oldest firebacks date back from the 15th century, the early days of casting iron. Originally, firebacks were luxury items to be used exclusively by the royalty, aristocracy and the church.

Thus the early firebacks show the weapons and shields of royalty and aristocracy and many religious themes. A landlord would as a rule employ his coat-of-arms alike in his own rooms as well as in the kitchens of his peasant-tenants. Thus these coat of arms are still widely available in original versions, as cast iron doesn wear much.

Later the firebacks received more decorative designs about classical stories, nature and rural live.

Literature

Carpentier, H.: Plaques de chemines 1925. (The best study ever of the themes of firebacks.)

Aitchison,L,: History of metals McDonald & Evans, London, 1960

Kelly,A.: The book of English fireplaces Country Life Books, Feltham, 1968

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Firebacks

Examples of antique firebacks and their symbolic meaning

Categories: Fireplaces