How do I clean a lacquered screen?

Dust the panels gently with a dry, soft microfibre cloth to remove surface particles without scratching the finish. Avoid using liquid cleaners, solvents, or furniture polishes which can damage delicate lacquer and inlaid bone or hardstone elements.

Can I use an eight fold screen in a small room?

An eight fold screen requires substantial floor space to stand securely in a zig-zag configuration without tipping. Smaller rooms are better suited to three or four panel variations that divide space efficiently without dominating the floor plan.

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

Dressing screens traditionally functioned as private partitions for changing clothes within bedrooms or boudoirs. Room dividers typically feature greater height and panel counts designed to segment larger living spaces permanently.

How do I tell Chinese coromandel from Japanese lacquer?

Chinese coromandel screens feature distinctive incised carving where the design is cut into the dark lacquer layers. Japanese lacquerwork frequently emphasises raised metallic maki-e painting, applied textiles, and dimensional carved bone figures.