French Gothic Period ‘Pillars and Pediment’ Fireback / Backspash, 16th Century

The pillar refers to the club of Hercules, his favorite weapon. It symbolizes power. Since antiquity the ‘Pillars of Hercules’ are also the name of the promontories at both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar. Hence they also symbolize the frontier between the known and unknown world (Nec plus Ultra, “nothing further beyond”) and later they also became symbols for the opposite, i.e. taking risks and confronting the unknown (Plus Ultra, ‘further beyond’).

The pediment was a classical architectural element to add grandness.

The fireback is made of cast iron and has a black / pewter patina. The condition is good, no cracks.

This product weighs more than 65 kg / 143 lbs. All our products that weigh 66 kg / 146 lbs or more are shipped as standard door-to-door freight. You can contact us to find out the daily rate for a freight shipment of this product to your destination.