Items Similar to Large Antique French Iron Fireback, Nicolas Fouquet, Vaux-le-Vicomte 17th/18th C
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Large Antique French Iron Fireback, Nicolas Fouquet, Vaux-le-Vicomte 17th/18th C
About the Item
After a fireback once commissioned by Nicolas Fouquet, for his Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, this large iron fireback was cast in France during the late 1600s/early 1700s (the original was from 1661). Fouquet was a powerful financial advisor in the 17th century, with close ties to both Cardinals Richelieu and Mazarin, as well as Louis XIV himself. At the young age of 19, Fouquet was appointed by Richelieu as “councilor of the Parliament of Metz”, an important city in northeast France. Fouquet would eventually rise to become Superintendent of Finances (Surintendant des finances) of France until he was imprisoned by Louis XIV in 1661 (Fouquet’s extravagant displays of wealth conflicted with the heavy debt incurred by the crown, causing Louis XIV to believe that Fouquet was embezzling). Interestingly, Fouquet was arrested unsuspectingly by d’Artagnan, who would later be fictionalized in the Alexandre Dumas novel, Les Trois Mousquetaires (known in English as The Three Musketeers).
Our large and thick fireback features military and musical motifs flanking an oval coat of arms medallion. The overall shape of the fireback is rectangular, with an arched top that is filled by an open crown that tops the heraldic display, which consists of a banded husked wreath surrounding four scrolled “F’s” that are pierced by an arrow. There is a crinkled ribbon at the bottom that folds over the wreath and trails down below. On the right side of the medallion is a five-string lyre in front of laurel and acanthus leaves. To the left of the coat of arms is a crested helmet over a sword sheath, once again fronting two distinct foliate branches. The entire grouping is surrounded by two borders that follow the overall shape of the iron: spiral fluting inside a series of repeating roundels.
Firebacks have been used for centuries to not only protect the walls of fireplaces, but to redirect heat back into the house. Our large 18th century fireback can still be used in that capacity. It can also be inserted into a wall, making for a unique piece of decorative art. Another potential use is to mount the fireback in the kitchen as a stove backsplash.
*Please make note of fireback size and exceptional thickness (very heavy). The original 1661 fireback can be seen today in Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte in Madame Fouquet’s cabinet.
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 37.75 in (95.89 cm)Depth: 2.75 in (6.99 cm)
- Style:Louis XVI (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Iron,Cast
- Place of Origin:
- Period:Late 17th Century
- Date of Manufacture:Late 1600's/Early 1700's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. Good antique condition, with light buildup and oxidation. Fleabites and some lightly faded elements, particularly near the bottom, commensurate with age and use. Heavy item.
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
These expertly vetted sellers are 1stDibs' most experienced sellers and are rated highest by our customers.
Established in 1983
1stDibs seller since 2011
736 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Dallas, TX
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Large and Unique Antique French Boiserie with Covered Alcove, 17th CenturyLocated in Dallas, TXThis beautiful section of boiserie has been carved from softwood in the 17th century (upper section pieces only). It has been completely cleaned (stripped) and clear waxed at some point in it's history, and about 15 years ago, the previous owners added the base section (one piece), and backing. The motifs are acanthus leaves in various forms, discs, scrolls and beading. To the sides of the center open section are crowns with ribbons. The one on the left is over an arrangement of irises while the one on the right is over an arrangement of roses. Beneath each is a draped cartouche with roses hanging from the center. Both of these sections are slightly curved inward to the central covered alcove. The opening is curved at the top with the ceiling being flat. Different motifs described above are at the back and the front. A bracket is above this blending into the ceiling molding...Category
Antique 17th Century French Panelling
MaterialsSoftwood
- Large 18th Century Copper and Wrought Iron Chaudron from FranceLocated in Dallas, TXHand-crafted in France, this large copper and wrought iron chaudron would have originally been used in the 1700’s to cook meals over a fire. The iron handle would have been placed onto a cremaillere, or chimney hook...Category
Antique 18th Century French Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsCopper, Wrought Iron
- 18th Century Wrought Iron Fireplace Chenets from FranceLocated in Dallas, TXThese antique French “chenets” are from the 1700s and have been hand-wrought in iron. Their uppermost portions were crafted to hold cups or bowls of liquid which would then be heated...Category
Antique 18th Century French Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron, Wrought Iron
- Large 17th Century Flemish Carving of a Winged CherubLocated in Dallas, TXThis large detailed hand carving of a stylized cherub’s face features feathered wings surrounding the side and base of the carving. It was cut and carved from a single piece of oak. ...Category
Antique 17th Century Belgian Baroque Architectural Elements
MaterialsOak
- Large Painted Antique Tuscan Cartouche Panel, 18th CenturyLocated in Dallas, TXThis large cartouche panel was carved from wood and hand-painted with a central coat of arms in Italy during the 1700’s. Inspired by a 16th century French style shield, the escutcheo...Category
Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Architectural Elements
MaterialsWood
- Early 1800s Heraldic Cast Iron Fireback from FranceLocated in Dallas, TXHeraldic cast iron fireback’s go back 500 plus years. They would depict a family’s coat of arms at the center, and symbols in the form of animals, birds, plants, and numerous other i...Category
Antique Early 1800s French Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron
You May Also Like
- 18th Century French Cast Iron Fireplace Back or FirebackLocated in Houston, TX18th century French cast iron fireplace back or fireback. Handsome rare themed 18th century French cast iron fireback or fireplace back or fireplace screen with Etruscan theme. Can be used in a fire place, in a kitchen as a backsplash, mounted behind a stove or outdoors in a Summer kitchen.Category
Antique 18th Century French Louis XVI Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron
- Fireback with the Coat of Arms of France from the 17th CenturyLocated in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FRFireback with the coat of arms of France from the 18th century reproduced in the book "Plaques de Cheminées" by Henri Carpentier, page 206.Category
Antique 17th Century French Louis XV Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron
- Spanish 17th Century Hand Forged Iron ChainLocated in Atlanta, GAA terrific 17th century hand forged chain from the Barcelona region. Perfect for extending the length of a chandelier.Category
Antique 17th Century Spanish Fireplace Tools and Chimney Pots
MaterialsIron
- Antique Biblical Cast Iron FirebackLocated in Haarlem, Noord-HollandThis beautiful and thick casted antique fireback is displaying Gabriel the angel congratulating Maria with the birth of Jesus Christ. It all takes place under the star of Bethlehem while being watched from the side by a mule or and ox. Great original condition, very deep casting some minor fading from the years of use. Can be placed in a real fire used as a backsplash or it can be hung as a piece of biblical art...Category
Antique 18th Century European Architectural Elements
MaterialsIron
- Antique French Fireback / Backsplash with Arms of France, 17th-18th CenturyLocated in Amerongen, NLCoat of arms of the House of Bourbon, an originally French royal house that became a major dynasty in Europe. It delivered kings for Spain (Navarra), France, both Sicilies and Parma....Category
Antique Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Fireplaces and Mantels
MaterialsIron
- 17th - 18th Century French 'The Vintage' Fireback / BacksplashLocated in Amerongen, NLBeautiful 17th - 18th century French fireback. The style of the fireback is Louis XIII and it is from that period. The fireback is made of cast iron. It is in a good condition, no cr...Category
Antique Early 18th Century Dutch Louis XIII Fireplace Tools and Chimney ...
MaterialsIron
