Fireback 1795 - 1800

This "Fireback," dated 1795-1800, is a three-piece cast iron screen from Hopewell Furnace, a Pennsylvania ironworks that operated from 1792 to 1883. Its intricate design features a central section with two radial patterns surrounding a floral motif, flanked by two smaller sections with decorative floral and geometric patterns. The fireback's original function was to protect the back of a fireplace from excessive heat, but it has also become a valued piece of American decorative arts, showcasing the artistry of early American ironworks.