A very large fireback cast with the arms of George II caught my eye in Sumpter Priddy's booth at the Hospital Show. Despite the coat of arms, it was American, having been cast in the Oxford Foundry, New Jersey, whose mark and date of 1755 were cast below the main design. Sumpter explained that this was at the time of the French-Indian War, and that it may have been made for an officer of the British Army stationed in New Jersey. The foundry made three sizes of this fireback: this, at 34-1/2" tall, was the largest. $16,500.

Sumpter Priddy III, Inc, 323 South Washington St, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703} 299-0800, sumpterpriddy@sumpterpriddy.com, www.sumpterpriddy.com.