17th Century Dutch Firegrate

Explanation:

This handsome firegrate would originally have been pushed up against a cast iron fireback. It is designed to generate as much heat and light as possible. The large, facetted, hollow-cast brass knops and brass-covered front supports would reflect the light from the burning logs. The wrought iron bottom grill is adjustable and can be raised up in order to maximise the heat from the fire.

With the increase in trade between Holland and England at the end of the 17th century, this type of Dutch grate would undoubtedly have found its way into the English home and must have contributed to the development of the English enclosed coal burning firegrate which became so popular in the 18th century.