This is a fine quality English 18th century style antique cast iron fire grate, incorporating a neo-classical design, circa 1920, in excellent original condition. 

Summary:

• Item: Antique Cast Iron Fire Grate 

• Circa: 1920 

• Style: Neo Classical / Renaissance 

• Provenance: England, UK 

• Material: Cast Iron 

• Width: 55cm / 21⅝” / 1ft 9⅝” 

• Weight: 30kg 

• Freestanding design 

• Domed backplate 

• Embossed Neo-classical urn and swag motif design 

• Cast iron flat capped finials 

• Four fixed shaped block legs 

• Removable grate 

• No breaks / cracks 

• Suitable for all fuel types 

• Highly decorative 

• Excellent condition 

• Solid construction 

• Excellent original colour & patination 

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland* 

• 14-day free UK returns policy 

Description       

This is a fine quality English 18th century style antique fire grate, incorporating a neo-classical design, made from solid cast iron, circa 1920, in excellent original condition.  Benefitting from a freestanding neo-classical / renaissance design, this antique cast iron log grate features a domed backplate, decorated with an embossed neo-classical urn and floral swag motif design.  The cast iron fireplace grate is constructed with two taller dome caped legs at the rear, and two smaller shaped legs at the front, which support four flat capped finials.  The Georgian style fire grate frame is constructed with a castellated basket, incorporating decorative riveted studs and vertical spike bars for keeping the logs in place.  The internal floor grate can be removed from the basket, allowing for easy cleaning.   The antique fire place grate can be used with either wood logs or coal.  The 18th century style fire grate is constructed of cast and hand forged iron and the open fire grate features an attractive finish, giving it a lovely colour and appearance.  

This neo-classical period fire basket would look superb in a variety of open hearths, inglenooks or fireside locations.  The cast iron log grate would certainly grace any home and is a great investment as it not only extremely functional but also highly decorative, which can also house floral displays.   

Dimensions:   

External Height = 45cm / 17¾” / 1ft 5¾”   

External Width = 55cm / 21⅝” / 1ft 9⅝” 

External Depth = 28cm / 11” 

Internal Basket 

Height (Back) = 32cm / 12½” / 1ft 0½” 

Height (Front – Top of spikes) = 14.5cm / 5¾” 

Height (sides) = 14.5cm / 5¾” 

Width = 50cm / 19¾” / 1ft 7¾” 

Depth = 23.5cm / 9¼” 

Weight: 

30kg 

History of the Fire Grate:  

The fire grate evolved from simple iron baskets (dog grates) supporting logs to sophisticated cast-iron designs, becoming a decorative centrepiece by the 18th century, with innovations like the hob grate and register grate improving efficiency by elevating the fire and controlling airflow for better combustion, while Victorian eras introduced colourful tiles and Neo-Gothic styles, transforming them from purely functional objects into key interior design elements.  

The Regency fire grate (circa 1811–1820, a sub-era of the wider Georgian period) was primarily influenced by technological improvements in heating efficiency and a shift towards Neoclassical design aesthetics  

Regency grates featured an increasingly simple, sleeker style compared to their Georgian predecessors, with an emphasis on clean lines and classical motifs. They became a more prominent focal point of the room as furniture arrangements became less formal.  

Source:  https://www.gratefiresltd.co.uk/fireplaces-a-history-of-the-hearth-within-the-home/   

Source:  https://www.blackcountrymetalworks.co.uk/blog/the-history-of-the-fireplace-and-traditional-fireside-accessories.html   

Source: https://gibilarodesign.co.uk/blog/the-fireplace-as-a-work-of-art   

Source: https://firetile.co.uk/a-brief-history-of-the-fireplace/#:~:text=During%20the%20Georgian%20Era%2C%20cast%20iron%20fireplaces,often%20thought%20of%20as%20a%20’sub%20period‘    

Source: https://georgiangroup.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GGM_Brooking_07_Fire_grates.pdf    

History of the Neo-Classical Period: 

Neoclassicism, also spelled Neo-classicism, emerged as a Western cultural movement in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that drew inspiration from the art and culture of classical antiquity. Neoclassicism was born in Rome, largely due to the writings of Johann Joachim Winckelmann during the rediscovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Its popularity expanded throughout Europe as a generation of European art students finished their Grand Tour and returned from Italy to their home countries with newly rediscovered Greco-Roman ideals.  The main Neoclassical movement coincided with the 18th-century Age of Enlightenment, and continued into the early 19th century, eventually competing with Romanticism. In architecture, the style endured throughout the 19th, 20th, and into the 21st century. 

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassicism  

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoclassical_architecture  

Condition Report:

This is a fine quality antique English traditional 18th century style fire basket, incorporating a neo-classical design, made from cast iron, circa 1870, in excellent condition.   

The cast iron frame and brass finials have been cleaned and sealed.  The antique heart grate is solid in joint and is robust.  Nominal old use marks, but nothing significant considering the age of the item.  There are no breaks to the cast iron basket.  The twin internal grate floors are sturdy in good condition.  The grate features an attractive finish, giving it a lovely colour and appearance.  This log basket is reassuringly solid and heavy, and it is ready to use. 

Terms & Conditions:

Before purchasing this item, please ensure that you have read and agreed to our Terms & Conditions of Sale.  Furthermore, if you have any questions or concerns regarding these terms, we encourage you to contact us to discuss them in advance.

Product Code: 119484