What is a pole screen?

A pole screen is a tall stand featuring a sliding panel that adjusts vertically. It was placed near a fireplace to protect the face from excessive heat. Users moved the screen up or down the central wooden shaft depending on where the heat hit.

How were these screens used?

These screens stood between seating areas and open hearths to block radiant heat and drafts. They doubled as decorative focal points in nineteenth-century drawing rooms. The textile panels displayed domestic needlework skills and added colour to the interior.

How do I spot a Regency screen?

Regency pieces often display classical influence, featuring giltwood, slender turned columns, and neat tripod bases. They frequently date from the early nineteenth century. The proportions tend to be crisp and restrained compared to later Victorian iterations.

What woods were used?

Cabinetmakers relied on durable timbers such as rosewood, mahogany, and walnut. Anglo-Indian variants constructed from walnut also appear in the selection. These dense hardwoods provided the weight needed for stable floor stands.