AFTER THE DESIGN BY ALFRED STEVENS

Stevens executed his design of the original model of this fire grate for the Paris Universalle Exhibition of 1855, which was manufactured by Hoole & Co of Sheffield. It is therefore possible that the present grate is also by the same founders. After studying in Italy including a period with Thorwaldsen in Rome, he moved to London where he was employed as assistant master in the government School of Design at Somerset House. He became chief designer to the iron founders Henry E.Hoole & Co. Sheffield in 1850 for a year before returning to London where he continued designing for Hoole for a number of years. Jeremy Cooper illustrates a 'Design for a Fountain' in his 19th Century Romantic Bronzes, David & Charles, London 1975, which is described as.... probably associated with his regular work for the ironfounder Hoole of Sheffield in the 1860s. Apart from his 'Wellington' monument of 1857, which incorporates the monumental group, 'Valour and Cowardice', the majority of Stevens other work was for Hoole. There is an example of the Pluto and Prosperine grate by Stevens in the Victoria and Albert Museum collection.
Alfred Stevens, born Blandford Forum, Dorset 1817, died 1875.

Comparative Literature:
The Fine Art Society, Gimson to Gilbert, cat.51. Page 57, pl.51.