How do I use a folding screen at home?

Folding screens function well as room dividers to zone open-plan spaces, or placed flat against a wall as large decorative art pieces. They provide immediate architectural interest without permanent structural changes. Shorter three-fold or four-fold versions suit dressing areas or corners, while six-fold and eight-fold pieces anchor larger living rooms.

What is the difference between Coromandel and black lacquer?

Coromandel lacquer involves cutting deeply into the lacquer ground and filling the recessed areas with colour or gold leaf, creating a textured surface. Standard black lacquer often relies on flat painting, gold leaf application, or inlaid hardstones and mother-of-pearl. Both finishes appear across nineteenth and twentieth-century pieces in this selection.

How should I care for an antique lacquer screen?

Keep lacquer surfaces away from direct sunlight and steady moisture to protect the wood core and prevent the finish from drying out. Dust gently with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid chemical polishes or water, which can damage delicate gold leaf and inlaid mother-of-pearl elements.

What periods do these screens date from?

The pieces span several centuries, with examples originating from the eighteenth century through the Regency era and into the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Twentieth-century items include Republic Era works and Art Deco export pieces. Stylistic markers help distinguish earlier traditional craft from later Victorian Chinoiserie interpretations.