What is the difference between a room divider and a fire screen?

Room dividers are tall, multi-fold panels intended to partition interior spaces or provide privacy. Fire screens are smaller, single-panel pieces placed near a fireplace to block radiant heat. Fire screens often feature adjustable pole mounts or stable feet, whereas room dividers rely on hinges to stand upright in zig-zag configurations across a floor.

How were leather screens decorated in the eighteenth century?

Leather screens from the eighteenth century, such as those in the Cordoban style, typically involved hand-painting and gilt embossing on heavy hides. Artisans tooled the leather and applied metallic leaf alongside polychrome pigments to achieve rich, textured surfaces. These panels were then mounted onto wooden frames to create durable, decorative partitions for grand interiors.

What periods do these screens cover?

The selections span from the eighteenth century through the Victorian and Edwardian eras into the early twentieth century. Pieces reflect distinct design revivals, including French Rococo, Neoclassical and Chinoiserie styles. Materials and construction methods evolve across these decades, moving from embossed leather and hand-painted canvas to lacquered finishes and industrial iron elements.

How do you place a folding screen in a modern room?

Folding screens work well to zone open-plan areas, create a backdrop for furniture, or conceal unused corners. Their multi-fold design allows them to angle securely against walls or stretch across wider spaces. Because surfaces feature delicate paint, lacquer or leather, placement should avoid direct, prolonged sunlight and excessive moisture.

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Antique Painted Screens

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Antique painted screens bring spatial division and hand-applied artistry into a room, spanning folding room dividers, fire screens and decorative panels.