What is an antique draught screen divider?

An antique draught screen divider is a multi-panel folding screen used historically to block cold air currents and partition large rooms. These functional furnishings double as decorative room partitions, constructed from materials like wood, leather, glass, and fabric.

How were these screens used?

Occupants positioned them around seating areas or beds to deflect drafts coming from fireplaces and doors. They also created private dressing spaces and divided open plan rooms in large houses.

What materials make up the panels?

Panels incorporate painted leather, oil canvas, Aubusson tapestry, needlepoint, bevelled glass, and decorative paper scrap work. Supporting frames utilise mahogany, oak, walnut, and giltwood joined by metal hinges.

How do I identify the period?

Stylistic clues such as French Rococo Revival carving, Arts and Crafts ebonisation, or Victorian scrap work point to specific eras. Construction methods, hinge types, and material treatments further indicate whether a piece dates to the eighteenth, nineteenth, or early twentieth century.