William Burges by Francis Skidmore – Gothic Revival Cast Iron Fire Insert

Cast iron fire insert designed by William Burges, made by Francis Skidmore, Gothic Revival, c.1865, with architectural tracery and pierced wrought iron supports.

This cast iron fire insert, designed by William Burges and executed by Francis Skidmore c.1865, represents a collaboration between two of the most significant figures of the Gothic Revival. Its form reflects the architectural discipline Burges brought to domestic metalwork, realised through Skidmore’s mastery of ornamental casting.

The structure consists of a tall, rectilinear surround with recessed arches and geometric tracery, flanked by projecting uprights capped with trefoil piercings. The base integrates a shaped apron with wrought iron bars and side scrolls, combining functional integrity with sculptural precision. The decoration, though restrained, demonstrates the refined vocabulary Burges developed for ecclesiastical and domestic commissions alike, uniting geometry with spiritual symbolism.

Francis Skidmore’s foundry in Coventry was among the foremost of the mid-nineteenth century, responsible for Burges’s major metalwork projects, including those for St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork, and the Hereford Cathedral choir screen. This insert likely relates to that same period, sharing the distinctive modelling and finish found in their collaborative works.