Fire grate

This cast iron fire grate designed by Thomas Jeckyll and made by Barnard Bishop and Barnards Ltd of Norwich is a fine example of design from the Aesthetic Movement which ran from the 1860's to 90's. It is decorated with a crane, ornamental pheasants, chrysanthemums and roundels, one incorporating the Barnards rebus four bees and four interlocking B's around a N. Thomas Jeckyll, born in Norwich in 1827 was a leading architect and designer. He set up a practice on Queen's street in Norwich 1851 and worked with Barnard Bishop and Barnard Ltd on various projects including the 'Norwich gates' which are now at the entrance to Sandringham House and the famous 'Japanese Pavilion' first shown at the Philadelphia Exhibition in 1876. Thomas Jeckyll's career was cut short by his struggles with mental illness and he spent the last five years of his life in a Norwich asylum.