Antique Fire Grates & Fire Baskets

Stock: 16209

A large and grand Renaissance Revival fire basket in cast iron. The ornate shaped back is centred by a mask cartouche which looms over the generous basket with log spikes mounted on the front bars, to prevent logs rolling out. This is supported by substantial andirons.
A statement piece for a large fireplace.

English, circa 1850.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	37 13⁄16" 96 cms	34 1⁄4" 87 cms	21" 53.3 cms
Back width	34 1⁄8" 86.5 cms

Stock: 16676

A late Victorian cast iron 'Nautilus' fire basket with brass finials and front mounts, designed by James Petter for the Nautilus Stove Co. circa 1881, makers plate to verso No.3561.
This lovely grate is cast with Aesthetic Movement motifs and mounted with wheels for ease of movement. The name was based on the internal shape of the Nautilus shell by means of which the fumes and smoke are circulated in a chamber before being drawn out through the flue, thus achieving greater efficiency than more traditional designs.

English, circa 1880.

FROM FIRE BASKETS TO HELICOPTERS, VIA MOUNT EVEREST.

The earliest incarnation of the Nautilus stove company, makers of kitchen ranges and fire grates, was founded by John Petter in 1865, when he bought an ironmonger's business in Yeovil, Somerset as a present for his son James Bazeley Petter, upon his marriage to Charlotte Branscombe. A few years later James expanded the business when he bought Yeovil Foundry and went into partnership with the manager Henry. F. Edger. Around 1881 James founded the Nautilus stove company and in 1882 he exhibited his Nautilus grate in the Smoke Abatement exhibition in Manchester. Queen Victoria had these fire grates installed in both Osborne house and Balmoral castle; after this demand grew substantially.

The Nautilus grate was first manufactured in a building known as the Rink in Hendford, so named as it was formerly a skating rink, later becoming known as the Nautilus grate works, before the company moved to a purpose-built factory in Reckleford.
The company also dabbled with steam and electric road vehicles. Percy Petter took the first car to London in 1896, it was basically a horse drawn carriage with an engine, known as the horseless carriage. The car division however was not a great success financially and after not winning a thousand guinea prize in a national competition in 1897, they closed the car division and concentrated on the production of their oil engines, such as the Petters 'Handy Man'; these were exported all over the world.
Lesser known is the use of some of their larger engines to light Yeovil before the advent of the National Grid.

In 1913 the company bought land to build a new foundry which became one of the largest in the country. After war broke out in 1914 the Petters offered their manufacturing resources to the government and in 1917 they supplied the admiralty with "Short 184" float planes; part of this went on to become the Westland aircraft branch of the business. Two biplanes built by Westland were the first to fly over the summit of mount Everest on the 3rd of April 1933. A modified Westland PV-3 Registration G-ACAZ and a PV-6 prototype Westland Wallace bomber, registration G-ACBR. The Petters continued to make oil engines until 1937 when they were taken over by Associated British Engines Ltd. The Westland part of the business went on to become one of the world's most successful helicopter manufacturers.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	20 1⁄4" 51.5 cms	28" 71 cms	21 7⁄8" 55.5 cms

Stock: 16710

A large and dramatic Reformed Gothic fire basket in cast iron. The most eye catching feature is without doubt the fireback, cast with a dragon being engulfed by flames. This is mounted over a generous basket with a fret apron and supported by andirons terminating in a trefoil style finial.

English, late 19th century.

Provenance: Property from the estate of the late David Cornwell, best known as the author John le Carré.

Awaiting restoration.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	39 3⁄8" 100 cms	33 11⁄16" 85.7 cms	20 1⁄8" 51 cms

Stock: 16446

A fine 18th century fire basket. The ornately fireback is cast with cupid astride an eagle with a decorative border, and dated 17--. This is mounted on a three barred grate and a polished bar front, with finely engraved spandrels and urnular finials over a pierced and engraved scrolling apron. This is supported on slender, tapered legs.

English, mid 18th century. View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	27 5⁄8" 70 cms	30 1⁄4" 77 cms	18 1⁄8" 46 cms
Back width	13 3⁄8" 34 cms

Stock: 15368

A small Arts and Crafts three barred cast iron fire grate of organic form, with a curving backplate and standards reminiscent of a shepherd's crook. English, late 19th century.

Link to: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	20 1⁄2" 52 cms	20 11⁄16" 52.5 cms	10 3⁄8" 26.5 cms

Stock: 16516

A charming cast iron steel and brass fire basket in the Aesthetic Movement style. The cast iron back is decorated with a sunburst motif, over a foliate tablet, and this is mounted on a balustrade style fire grate in steel. The whole is supported on stylised floral andirons, very much in the Aesthetic movement taste.

English, mid 19th century.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	32 1⁄4" 82 cms	28 1⁄4" 72 cms	15 11⁄16" 40 cms

Stock: 16381

A fine Adam style brass & steel serpentine fronted fire basket. The three barred grate is munted with engraved brass shoulders and elegant urnular finials.The basket is raised on tall and slender tapered legs, which are centred by a pierced paterae apron.

English, Circa 1870.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	29 11⁄16" 75.5 cms	26" 66 cms	16 1⁄4" 41.3 cms

Stock: 16444

A large Victorian fire basket of unusual form. The pedimented back is cast with a floral design and the generous grate is mounted on scrolled feet, and the protruding andirons are reminiscent of the designs of Christopher Dresser.

English, circa 1870.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	33 1⁄8" 84 cms	24 3⁄8" 62 cms	20 1⁄8" 51 cms

Stock: 15515

An ornate 19th century cast iron and brass fire basket standing on elegant brass monopedia, surmounted by ringed panther masks. The cast iron back is beautifully cast with foliate decoration within the rounded pediment.

English, registration mark for 1888.

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	Width	Height	Depth
External	28 7⁄8" 73.5 cms	31 1⁄8" 79 cms	14 5⁄8" 37 cms
Back width	20 1⁄8" 51 cms

Stock: 16056

A good quality Georgian style fire basket of minimalist form, the bright steel three barred grate adorned with urnular finials over reeded legs, and a pierced apron.

English, c.1900.

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	Width	Height	Depth
External	36" 91.5 cms	25 13⁄16" 65.5 cms	14" 35.5 cms
Back width	18 5⁄8" 47.3 cms

Stock: 16447

A small and charming Aesthetic Movement cast iron fire basket, with a central floral rosette to the back, and beautiful scrolling legs with brass finials.

English, late 19th century.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	22 13⁄16" 58 cms	23" 58.3 cms	13 3⁄8" 34 cms

Stock: 16248

A fine neoclassical fire basket in steel in the George II manner, with elongated finials and a pierced apron.

English, late 19th century.

Provenance: Westvale, Nailwell, Bath. The former home of Baron and Lady Craigmyle.

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	Width	Height	Depth
External	31 7⁄8" 81 cms	17 7⁄8" 45.5 cms	16 1⁄2" 42 cms
Back width	21 1⁄4" 54 cms

Stock: 16423

An unusual Arts and Crafts fire basket. The pagoda shaped back is cast with floral swags and vines and centred by a sunburst, and mounted with curved wrought iron bars over a copper apron which is supported by twisted baluster andirons with copper ball and claw feet. With original copper ash pan.

English, c.1880.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	36 5⁄8" 93 cms	40 3⁄8" 102.5 cms	22 5⁄8" 57.5 cms
Back Width	16 7⁄8" 43 cms

Stock: 16000

An imposing nineteenth-century fire basket with a three barred grate and a brass apron flanked by large turned brass andirons, topped with spherical brass finials.
English, c.1880.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	32 1⁄2" 82.5 cms	28" 71 cms	18 7⁄8" 48 cms

Stock: 15518

An antique George III style fire basket, with an elegant pierced foliate apron and slender finials, the andirons are reminiscent of Thomas Elsley, finely cast in nickel (or German) silver.

English, late 19th century.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	33 11⁄16" 85.5 cms	20 7⁄8" 53 cms	18 1⁄2" 47 cms
Back width	22 5⁄8" 57.5 cms

Stock: 16415

A fine neoclassic fire grate with a cast iron fireback depicting a parrot, with a steel barred grate mounted with a beautifully pierced apron engraved with cornucopia and supported on brass andirons.

English, circa 1870.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	24 1⁄4" 61.8 cms	33 1⁄8" 84.2 cms	13 11⁄16" 34.8 cms

Stock: 16299

A small and smart Georgian fire basket of serpentine form in cast iron and brass. The ornate fire back depicts Jonah and the whale as the creature is about to swallow the prophet. This is supported by brass shoulders engraved with urns, beneath which is a beautifully pierced apron with a Greek key decoration interspersed with scrolling foliate motifs.
English, c.1780.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	27 5⁄8" 70 cms	30 1⁄4" 77 cms	13 13⁄16" 35 cms

Stock: 16298

A large Victorian cast iron fire basket with an arched back, and supported on large polished bronze andirons in the Dutch manner, with additional bronze spandrels and apron.
English, late 19th century.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	40 3⁄16" 102 cms	26" 66 cms	21 1⁄4" 54 cms

Stock: 16223

A large and imposing Jacobean Revival fire basket in cast iron, with a cartouche back and c scroll decoration which framed the latticed front bars. This is supported on large baluster andirons over splayed feet. English, circa 1870.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	43 1⁄8" 109.5 cms	28 11⁄16" 73 cms	18 7⁄8" 48 cms

Stock: 16403

An unusual Arts and Crafts cast iron fire basket of small proportions, with a stylised sunburst back, and a bow front mounted with dog finials, over paw feet.

English, circa 1870.

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	width	height	depth
	21 1⁄8" 53.5 cms	19 7⁄8" 50.5 cms	13 13⁄16" 35 cms

Stock: 16211

A very large and rare and heavy cast iron William IV fire grate, with a dramatic Rococo backplate and imposing andirons cast with ornate foliate decoration. A truly imposing piece and a very unusual design.

English, c.1830.

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	Width	Height	Depth
External	40 3⁄16" 102 cms	39" 99 cms	18 7⁄8" 48 cms
Back Width	36" 91.5 cms

Stock: 16310

A large Victorian cast iron fire basket with brass detailing. The back of broken pediment form, is cast with laurel sprigs and a central rosette. The four barred grate is surmounted by brass baluster finials and supported by large lion paw andirons.

English, c.1880.

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	Width	Height	Depth
External	37 13⁄16" 96 cms	30 1⁄2" 77.5 cms	18 1⁄2" 47 cms
Back Width	18 1⁄2" 47 cms

Stock: 15619

A charming William IV cast iron fire basket in a shape reminiscent of a Savonarola chair, adorned with ringed lion masks.
English, c.1830.

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	Width	Height	Depth
External	24 13⁄16" 63 cms	28 11⁄16" 73 cms	12 3⁄16" 31 cms
Back width	18 1⁄8" 46 cms

Stock: 15835

An antique fire basket in the neoclassical style in bright polished steel. The basket has elegant shoulders engraved with garlands of bellflowers which flank the three barred grate which stands over a pierced apron studded with neoclassical paterae. The elegant urnular andirons are surmounted by a pair of lidded urn finials.
English, c.1870.

Link to: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	30 7⁄8" 78.5 cms	28 1⁄2" 72.5 cms	18 1⁄2" 47 cms
Back width	17 1⁄4" 44 cms

Stock: 16023

A substantial Victorian cast iron fire basket with a pierced apron and urn topped andirons. Perfect for a fireplace of grand proportions.
English, mid 19th century.

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	width	height	depth
External	38 3⁄8" 97.5 cms	22" 56 cms	20 1⁄8" 51 cms
Back width	22 3⁄16" 56.5 cms

Stock: 14151

An antique cast and wrought iron fire basket, very much in the manner of Robert Adam. The one piece cast iron front, decorated with lozenges containing wheat sheaths is centred by a curved bottomed four bar grate above a fluted apron. This is flanked by oval paterae topped off by urn finials, supported on tapering square legs enriched with bell flowers on ball feet.
English, circa 1780.

Note, the original arched cast iron fireback has cracked in the past, this is not uncommon on fire baskets of this date. It has an early strapped and riveted repair on the back and is stable and usable for burning wood. The original back could be recast and replaced if desired.

Link to: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	34 1⁄4" 87 cms	34 5⁄8" 88 cms	13 3⁄16" 33.5 cms
Back width	17 11⁄16" 45 cms

Stock: 15843

A rare and majestic fire basket, depicting a phoenix rising from the flames. The phoenix fire back is mounted above a large four barred grate, which rests on brass andirons. The andirons are surmounted by eagles, and the sinuous feet form winged dragons.
English. c.1870.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	45 11⁄16" 116 cms	38 3⁄8" 97.5 cms	22 3⁄16" 56.5 cms

Stock: 15784

A small 19th century cast iron fire basket, with an arched pediment back decorated with a central floral rosette.
English, c.1890.

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	Width	Height	Depth
External	16 1⁄8" 41 cms	22 3⁄8" 57 cms	10 3⁄16" 26 cms
Back width	13" 33 cms

Stock: 15682

An unusual and compact cast iron Renaissance Revival fire basket, the arched pediment back decorated with an armorial cartouche and faceted andirons.
English, c.1860.

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	Width	Height	Depth
External	28 11⁄16" 73 cms	29 1⁄2" 75 cms	15 11⁄16" 40 cms
Back width	26 3⁄8" 67 cms

Stock: 15661

A large cast iron and polished brass fire basket in the neo-classical style, the arched pediment back decorated with laurel sprays and scrolled acanthus corners. Below this, the four barred grate is flanked by neoclassical urnular andirons and is framed by a pierced and scrolled apron.
English, Circa 1880.

View our collection of: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	33 11⁄16" 85.5 cms	27 5⁄8" 70 cms	17 1⁄4" 44 cms
Back Width	18 11⁄16" 47.5 cms

Stock: 13344

Antique cast iron fire basket, supported on brass baluster andirons on scrolled feet. The grate, has unusual bars reminiscent of the Aesthetic movement, and a tall decorative back.
English, c.1890.

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	Width	Height	Depth
Overall	34 5⁄8" 88 cms	29 7⁄8" 76 cms	18 1⁄2" 47 cms
Back Width	16 7⁄8" 43 cms

Stock: 13110

A simple and elegant steel fire basket in Adam style with urn finial details and a pierced apron.
English, c.1900.

View our collection: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
External	30 1⁄4" 77 cms	19 11⁄16" 50 cms	14 5⁄8" 37 cms
Back width	19 1⁄8" 48.5 cms

Stock: 15669

A charming Aesthetic Movement fire grate with a central sunflower radiating from the shaped back plate, which is echoed by the finely cast brass sunflower finials crowning the andirons. These frame the front bars, which are elegantly bowed, and just beneath them are delicate fan spandrels.
English, c.1890.

The sunflower was considered the emblem of the Aesthetic Movement in Britain, its proponents believing it to signify lasting happiness and adoration – key principles of aestheticism. The movement embodied the principle of Art for Art's sake, and focused on beauty and harmony in its purest visual form.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	24 3⁄8" 62 cms	27" 68.5 cms	13 3⁄8" 34 cms

Stock: 15302

An unusual 19th century cast iron fire basket of exceptional quality with applied armorials and a Latin motto which reads LUX TUA VIA MEA, or Thy Light is My Way. This motto is associated with the Blount family, and this fire basket was acquired from Mawley Hall in Shropshire, their family seat. Likely to have been made on the estate.
English, c.1870.

Provenance: Mawley Hall, Shropshire.

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	Width	Height	Depth
	35 13⁄16" 91 cms	37" 94 cms	15 11⁄16" 40 cms

Stock: 15660

A 19th century cast iron fire basket in the Baronial style, fronted by an imposing pair of monopodia wolfound andirons with rings in their mouths. The grate is further embellished with tie baton bars and a decorative backplate surmounted by three pronged finials.
English, c.1870.

A similar grate can be seen at Charles Dickens' Eastgate House, Rochester, Kent.

View our collection: Antique fire grates and log baskets.

	Width	Height	Depth
	24 13⁄16" 63 cms	30 7⁄8" 78.5 cms	14 13⁄16" 37.5 cms