FIRE MARK

Four fragments of decorative Royal Exchange lead fire mark of 18th century date. Each fragment is rather bent with post-depositional damage to the edges, and the original complete object would have been oval in shape with an openwork crown projecting above and a rectangular panel with the policy number extending below (http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/royal-exchange-assurance-lead-fire-marks18th-century-4375579-details.aspx). All fragments are flat to the reverse with raised and moulded decoration to the front depicting a figural scene that appears to broadly depict a votive or religious building. Fragments three and four were found together. Although the breaks are worn and damage, all four fragments apparently originally joined.
Fragment one depicts two vertical panels with a horizontal border below (ground level, depicted with vertical and horizontal raised criss-cross lines) and above (beaded border between two raised lines below a pediment with raised decoration). The left-hand vertical panel depicts a central column with standing figure or statue on top, all within an arch or niche formed from two upright columns, four moulded arches and a triangular keystone. The right-hand vertical panel contains two tall columns with flaring capitals inside which are two arches on top of each other, with a semi-circular moulding above. There is a slight lip along the bottom edge (which is otherwise rather bent). It measures 61.6mm in length, 57.9mm in width, 3.4mm in thickness and 63.46g in weight.
Fragment two depicts three rectangles between vertical struts, presumably windows, and part of a crenellated roof edge above. This fragment measures 39.8mm in length, 27.1mm in width, 2.7mm in thickness and weighs 21.72g.
Fragment three depicts the right-hand roof finial on an undecorated background, a rectangle topped by a triangle and finally a cross. The right-hand edge is the original edge and decorated with a pair of ridges. It is slightly bent over on itself. Measures 39.9mm in length, 36.4mm in width, 3.0mm in thickness and weighs 34.37g.
Fragment four depicts two arches of moulded transverse ribs and part of the right-hand edge of the original object, with a pair of moulded ribs flanking the edge. It measures 27.6mm in length, 24.1mm in width, 2.2mm in thickness and weighs 9.11g.
The depicted scene is reminiscent of Roman style buildings and architecture with niches containing statues of individuals or deities and thus depicts a religious scene, shrine or similar. Fire insurance marks were used in the 18th and 19th century, before the UK had a Fire Service, as an aid to the specific insurance company's fire brigade. Other examples of complete fire marks of this design can be found in the following two links:
http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/14987/lot/131/ and https://www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk/Lot/?sale=AF260313&lot=218&id=244170.