How do I care for leather or lacquer screens?

Keep painted lacquer and leather panels away from direct sunlight and strong heat sources to prevent cracking or fading over time. Dust gently with a dry microfibre cloth and avoid using liquid cleaners or polishes on antique surfaces.

Were these screens meant for large rooms?

Many nineteenth-century country house screens were built with tall, wide panels designed to block draughts in high-ceilinged drawing rooms and grand halls. Smaller dressing screens were intended for intimate domestic chambers and bedrooms.

How can I tell a Victorian screen from an Edwardian one?

Victorian examples often favour heavy giltwood, dark lacquer, scrap work, or rich needlepoint, reflecting an opulent and eclectic aesthetic. Edwardian pieces tend to utilise lighter woods like satinwood and walnut with more restrained decorative schemes.