Style Louis XIV / Ref.9449
Cast iron fireback with French royal coat of arms
Dimensions:
Width: 18'' ½ 47cm
Height: 18'' ⅞ 48cm
Origin:
France 19th century
Status:
Good condition.
Cast iron fireback bearing the coat of arms of France, with the motto “seul contre tous” (alone against all). The motto alludes to the coalition of Europe against Louis XIV.
This fireback is very similar to the one in the Museum of Châlons-sur-Marne, cast in 1684, also bearing the same motto
Since the birth of Louis XIV, France was continually at war with Spain and against the Habsburg dominance in Europe. The revocation of the Edict of Nantes banishing Protestants from exercising their religion in the realm, turned the Protestant states against him, adding religious hatred to political ones. William of Orange united in a new coalition against France the smaller groups that already existed. In 1688 the league of Augsburg composed of William III of England, the German Emperor, the Kings of Sweden and Spain, the United Provinces, several prince-electors and the Duke of Savoy united against France, allied with Denmark and the Ottoman Empire. The league’s purpose was defensive at first, but when Louis XIV imposed his choice of candidates to the Electorate in Cologne over the one legally selected, this was the signal of war. The League of Habsburg war lasted until 1697. < br /> There are many different examples of firebacks bearing the motto “seul contre tous” as is shown in the book on firebacks by Henri Carpentier “Plaques de Cheminées”, Paris 1967, pages 202-204.
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