Bonfires Collection

Coronation bonfire at Whitehaven, 1902
A superbly constructed bonfire at Whitehaven, 120 feet in height and 155 feet in circumference, containing 600 tons of timber and brushwood

Night festival on the Champ de Mars, Paris (oil on canvas)
XIR375770 Night festival on the Champ de Mars, Paris (oil on canvas) by Sebron, Hippolyte Victor Valentin (1801-79); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

The Peace Celebrations, in the Suburbs (engraving)
1629756 The Peace Celebrations, in the Suburbs (engraving) by Amato, G.S. (fl.1897-1914) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Peace Celebrations, in the Suburbs)

Man and bonfire, c. 1855-59
880701 Man and bonfire, c.1855-59 by Beishitu (fl.c, 1855-59); 18.2x24.2 cm; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN, USA; eMinneapolis Institute of Art; Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H

Bonfire and fireworks on Blackheath (engraving)
604839 Bonfire and fireworks on Blackheath (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bonfire and fireworks on Blackheath, to celebrate the fall of Sebastopol)

The Peace Commemoration at Portsmouth, the Bonfire on the Beach (engraving)
1608850 The Peace Commemoration at Portsmouth, the Bonfire on the Beach (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Peace Commemoration at Portsmouth)

Wreck of the "Duke of Sutherland"Steam-Ship (engraving)
1601706 Wreck of the " Duke of Sutherland" Steam-Ship (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Wreck of the " Duke of Sutherland" Steam-Ship)

Wheels for fireworks, illustration from Recueil de plusieurs machines militaires et
XIR217845 Wheels for fireworks, illustration from Recueil de plusieurs machines militaires et feux artificiels pour la guerre et recreation by Francois Thybourel, Pont-a-Mousson

The Queens Jubilee Festival, 21 June (engraving)
1591248 The Queens Jubilee Festival, 21 June (engraving) by Wilson, Thomas Harrington (fl.1842-86) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Queens Jubilee Festival, 21 June)

Burning refuse in November Date: 9th Century

The Plague at Hong Kong, British Troops destroying the Refuse from Infected Houses at Tai-Ping-Shan (engraving)
1047977 The Plague at Hong Kong, British Troops destroying the Refuse from Infected Houses at Tai-Ping-Shan (engraving) by English School

Kelp Burning (oil on canvas)
6198539 Kelp Burning (oil on canvas) by Henderson, Joseph (1832-1908); 119.4x180.3 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; (add.info.: Orchar Collection); Dundee Art Galleries and Museums; English

The Bonfire of the Veteran Wings (Colour Litho)
2777828 The Bonfire of the Veteran Wings (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: The veteran wing bonfire)

New life in Barcelona (colour litho)
2783876 New life in Barcelona (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: New life in Barcelona)

How to make an artificial cloud, illustration from Tratado de Artilleria
XIR217844 How to make an artificial cloud, illustration from Tratado de Artilleria by Diego Ufano, Brussels, 1613 (engraving) (b/w photo) by Flemish School, (17th century); Bibliotheque Nationale

Ashton Court Festivities (engraving)
1587247 Ashton Court Festivities (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ashton Court Festivities)

The Royal Wedding (b / w photo)
1062751 The Royal Wedding (b/w photo) by English photographer, (19th century) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Royal Wedding)

The Czars Visit to the Queen (litho)
1051049 The Czars Visit to the Queen (litho) by Hatherell, William (1855-1928) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Czars Visit to the Queen)

How to set fireworks, illustration from Tratado de Artilleria by Diego Ufano
XIR217842 How to set fireworks, illustration from Tratado de Artilleria by Diego Ufano, Brussels, 1613 (engraving) (b/w photo) by Flemish School, (17th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

The Midsummer Eve Bonfire in the Bavarian Highlands (engraving)
1611858 The Midsummer Eve Bonfire in the Bavarian Highlands (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Midsummer Eve Bonfire in the Bavarian Highlands)

Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Melford Hall, Suffolk (engraving)
1610757 Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Melford Hall, Suffolk (engraving) by Robinson, Charles (1840-81); Private Collection; (add.info)

Rejoicing at Henllys, Beaumaris, to Celebrate the Majority of "The Heir of Baron Hill"(engraving)
1619070 Rejoicing at Henllys, Beaumaris, to Celebrate the Majority of " The Heir of Baron Hill" (engraving) by English School

Guy Fawkes (engraving)
1617730 Guy Fawkes (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Guy Fawkes. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 4 November 1848)

The Regatta and Illuminations at Dover (litho)
1592557 The Regatta and Illuminations at Dover (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Regatta and Illuminations at Dover)

The Gold-Seekers Christmas, His Dream of Her (litho)
1600637 The Gold-Seekers Christmas, His Dream of Her (litho) by Forestier, Amedee (1854-1930) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Gold-Seekers Christmas, His Dream of Her)

The Rioting in Paris, Scenes in the Streets on Sunday (litho)
1043017 The Rioting in Paris, Scenes in the Streets on Sunday (litho) by Pike, William Henry (1846-1908); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Rioting in Paris, Scenes in the Streets on Sunday)

Fireworks on Guy Fawkes Day (engraving)
1102399 Fireworks on Guy Fawkes Day (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Fireworks on Guy Fawkes Day)

A masquerade reminiscent of a legend, in Germany (colour litho)
2777710 A masquerade reminiscent of a legend, in Germany (colour litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: A masquerade reminiscent of a legend, in Germany)

How to fire a royal salute, illustration from Tratado de Artilleria
XIR217843 How to fire a royal salute, illustration from Tratado de Artilleria by Diego Ufano, Brussels, 1613 (engraving) (b/w photo) by Flemish School, (17th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

La Marmite Des Poilus (colour litho)
3091176 La Marmite Des Poilus (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: La Marmite Des Poilus. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Young woman jumping for joy in the air

A Russian family celebrates New Year by a bonfire in taiga-forest. outskirts of Vsevolodo-Blagodatskoye village; typical in North Ural Mountains, Russia

Cauldron boiling over open fire, front view

Picture No. 10870632
A Russian family celebrates New Year by a bonfire in taiga-forest Date:

Picture No. 10766302
Australians - Campfire scene Date:

Guy burning on garden bonfire, Guy Fawkes Night, Bacton, Suffolk, England, November

Guy on garden bonfire, Guy Fawkes Night, Bacton, Suffolk, England, November

Celebration outside St Pauls Cathedral, London
A celebration outside St Pauls Cathedral, City of London, on the evening of 3 May 1951, the opening day of the Festival of Britain

Gardener burning garden rubbish on bonfire, Chipping, Lancashire, England, august

Smoke signalling. Historical artwork of ancient Greek warriors using smoke signals to communicate. This was an early form of optical communication

Figures silhouetted against bonfire for Guy Fawkes Night, United Kingdom, Europe

Fireworks after Boyne
Firework display given by the gentry & folk of Covent Garden to commemorate the return of the victorious William III after the Battle of Boyne in Ireland. Bonfires are lit

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Bonfires have long been a symbol of celebration, unity, and even protest throughout history. From the Coronation bonfire at Whitehaven in 1902 to the peaceful celebrations in New Zealand and England, these towering flames have brought people together in various contexts. In times of joyous occasions like Peace Day or Queen's Jubilee Festival, bonfires illuminated the night sky with their warmth and brilliance. The crackling fire served as a beacon of hope and harmony for communities coming together to commemorate important milestones. Whether it was celebrating peace or honoring royalty, these gatherings around bonfires fostered a sense of camaraderie among participants. However, not all they were solely about jubilation. Some depicted the harsh realities faced by societies during challenging times. Take "The Condition of Ireland under the 'No Rent' Policy" engraving as an example - it showcased how they were used as symbols of resistance against oppressive policies. These fires represented defiance against unfair treatment and became rallying points for change. It also had practical uses beyond symbolism. They provided warmth on chilly nights while burning refuse kept neighborhoods clean and free from waste accumulation. In addition to their functional purposes, they added an element of excitement when combined with fireworks displays like those witnessed on Blackheath or wheels designed specifically for pyrotechnics. Even tragic events found themselves intertwined with this age-old tradition; such is evident through engravings depicting the wrecked "Duke of Sutherland" steam-ship surrounded by a somber yet strikingly powerful bonfire scene. From allotments to man-made structures engulfed in flames circa 1855-59 - each instance tells its own story within the realm of bonfire culture. It serves as a reminder that these fiery spectacles hold significance far beyond mere entertainment value; they embody historical moments etched into our collective memory.