Metal rugs

[JanieB]

Has anyone come across these before? Friends of mine bought a farmhouse in the Forest of Dean and in front of the main fireplace was a metal "rug" painted or enamelled like a normal rug but used to protect the floor.

 

[capri1600l]

Yes, I have seen a few of these, my grandma had one in front of her fire, we have one in our house but it's seen better days, they were about 18" wide and normally patterned enamel sheet steel, they would sit in front of the fire with a fender sat on top of it.
I've tried to find one to replace the one we have but never had any luck

 

[JanieB]

Mmmmh. Interesting. I've haunted auction sale rooms since I was 16 and never seen one other than the one in my friend's house. I wondered how difficult it would be to make or have one made. It would solve the problem of falling embers/sparks burning my rug. I would prefer an original.

 

[noj]

They seem to be called hearth plates
http://blackcountrymemories.org.uk/jordans/jordans02.htm

And one for sale
http://www.englishsalvage.co.uk/enamel-floral-fire-floor-protective-plate_item_16264