A George III polished steel fire grate circa 1780

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Description

83cm. high, 105cm. wide, 30cm. deep; 2ft. 8¾in., 3ft. 5½in., 1ft.

the serpentine front with brass urn finials and later backplate

Provenance

Wormley Bury, Hertfordshire

Literature

The present firegrate is illustrated in situ at Wormley Bury, Herfordshire, Country Life, 30th January, 1915, (see illustration).

Catalogue Note

Wormley Bury was bought by Alexander Hume in 1739. In 1765 he died leaving it to his younger brother, Abraham Hume (created Baronet in 1769). It was then a plain early Georgian house which was re-modelled in 1767 for Abraham Hume which included adding a grand portico to the entrance front.

The interior decoration including that of the entrance hall was deferred until 1777 and was largely designed by Robert Adam who was also engaged at this time in enlarging and decorating the town house, no. 17 Hill Street, London, for Sir Abraham Hume.