How do I choose between a room divider and a fire screen?

Room dividers are tall, multi-panel folding screens built to partition spaces or decorate walls using lacquer and painted scenes. Fire screens are smaller, sturdier pieces made of iron, brass, or wire mesh designed specifically for hearth safety. Consider the scale and intended room when selecting a piece, as folding panels require floor space while hearth guards sit flush against the fireplace.

What periods do these screens come from?

The available pieces span from the eighteenth century through the Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian eras into the early twentieth century. Styles range from Gothic revival ironwork to Chinoiserie lacquer. Matching the period to your interior helps determine whether an ornate Japanese Coromandel screen or a simpler wrought iron spark guard suits the space.

How do I care for antique lacquer screens?

Keep lacquered wood surfaces away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature fluctuations to prevent cracking or fading. Dust gently with a dry, soft cloth without applying modern chemical polishes. Iron and brass fireguards benefit from occasional light cleaning to remove soot and maintain the integrity of the metal mesh.

Were these screens used in bedrooms or living rooms?

Folding lacquer screens often served as dressing screens in bedrooms or grand room dividers in reception spaces. Smaller pole screens and nursery fenders were stationed directly in sitting rooms near the fireplace. Their placement depended on whether the primary function was privacy, draught exclusion, or ember protection.