A large Victorian cast iron & bronze "Nautilus" log grate made in the Nineteen century by The Nautilus Fire Company of Yeovil, Somerset. The side Tendril floral decoration with flower head bosses to the side vents in the Renaissance manner, on four bronze and iron wheels, the front bar posts with bronze fire tool holders shaped like a wave, in keeping with the Nautical theme. With large bronze capping and decorative finials, a decoratively cast iron canopy with a central cast stylised Sunflower to the centre, with bronze piped trim either side. An inset metal ash pan tray that can be removed in order to dispose of ash (Image 5). A bronze stamped disc to the rear showing the name and maker this piece is No: 3956.
 
Yeovil, Sumerset, England 1881. P
lease note: The fire tools are available separately, please go to our other items ('antique fireplace accessories').
 
Notes:
When Queen Victoria had Nautilus fire grates installed at Balmoral Castle and Osborn House, demand for them grew substantially. The design by the Petter family firm was based on the internal shape of the Nautilus shell by means of which the fumes and smoke circulated in a chamber before being drawn out through the flue at the rear.
 
In 1881 James Petter invented the Nautilus grate, in 1882 he showed his Nautilus grate at the "Manchester Smoke Abatement Exhibition" Queen Victoria visited the exhibition, and installed these grates to the Royal homes soon after. By November 1883 the firm was advertising the 'Nautilus grate by James B Petter, Nautilus Works, Yeovil" nationally in the "The Times"! It was later featured in "The British Architect" 29th March 1895.
 
Height
28.15 in (71.5 cm)
Width
21.66 in (55 cm)
Depth
16.74 in (42.5 cm)