{"product_id":"antique-french-cast-iron-fireback","title":"Antique French Cast Iron Fireback or Fireplate","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThe Rustic Kitchen Scene\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLong before radiators did their job, fireplaces were the \u003cstrong\u003ebeating heart of the home\u003c\/strong\u003e. Meals were cooked here, stories were shared here, and on cold winter evenings everyone naturally drifted towards the warmth. This antique French fireback \u003cem\u003ehas witnessed countless such moments.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCast in \u003cstrong\u003esolid iron\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003edating to the \u003cstrong\u003emid to late\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"105\" data-end=\"140\"\u003e 18th century, \u003c\/strong\u003ethe relief of this fireplate depicts \u003cstrong\u003ea lively domestic scene\u003c\/strong\u003e. Whether it is a bustling farmhouse kitchen or a welcoming village tavern is left delightfully open to interpretation. Either way, it feels \u003cem\u003ewonderfully alive\u003c\/em\u003e. You can almost imagine the scent of simmering stew and hear the murmur of conversation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe use of firebacks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginally, firebacks were placed against the rear wall of a fireplace to protect the masonry from the flames while reflecting heat back into the room. Functional, certainly, but \u003cem\u003erarely without beauty.\u003c\/em\u003e Foundries often transformed these everyday objects into \u003cstrong\u003eminiature works of art\u003c\/strong\u003e, celebrating everything from noble coats of arms to s\u003cem\u003ecenes of ordinary life.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is particularly charming for exactly that reason. Rather than kings or mythical heroes, it honours the simple pleasures of \u003cstrong\u003egathering around the fire\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasuring approximately \u003cstrong\u003e60 x 60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003e4 cm thick\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a wonderfully substantial piece. Its weight alone tells the story of \u003cem\u003eold-world craftsmanship\u003c\/em\u003e. Today it makes a striking wall decoration in a kitchen, dining room or beside a fireplace, bringing texture, history and just the right amount of French character to any interior.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Wildschut Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57329887969653,"sku":"Decor-Fireback-Kitchen-Scene","price":580.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0843\/7930\/4236\/files\/Wildschut-Antiques-Fire-Plate-Web-5.jpg?v=1782817737","url":"https:\/\/wildschut-antiques.com\/products\/antique-french-cast-iron-fireback","provider":"Wildschut Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}