Oriental Wooden Folding Screen
An oriental wooden folding screen divides a room with carved bone, lacquer and rich panels.
Oriental Wooden Folding Screen
An oriental wooden folding screen is a substantial room divider or fire screen encountered in periods from the eighteenth century to the twentieth century. These pieces appear in forms such as six panel lacquered screens, eight fold coromandel screens and four fold dressing screens.
How they were made
Maker workshops utilised wood, teak and hardwood to construct the structural frames and folding panels. Lacquer provides the smooth deep surfaces seen on black lacquered coromandel screens.
Craftsmen applied intricate surface decoration including deep carved bone figures, brass fittings and hardstone inlay. Painted elements and fretwork complete the detailed panels.
The listings on this site include pieces from the 18th Century, 19th Century, and early 20th century.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the depth and crispness of the carving, particularly where bone figures and dragon motifs emerge from the wood. Smoother lacquer surfaces and refined panel joinery elevate an example above standard decorative pieces.
The complexity of the folding structure and the scale, from smaller dressing screens to eight fold coromandel screens, dictate the visual weight and presence of the work in a room.
The Oriental Wooden Folding Screen Glossary
- Coromandel lacquer
- A Chinese incised lacquer technique where designs are cut into a dark ground and filled with colours. This method creates textured surfaces on eight fold screens.
- Fretwork
- Ornamental perforated woodwork formed in geometric or organic patterns. This technique appears on Indian screens to allow light through the panels.
- Fire screen
- A small folding screen placed in front of a fireplace when not in use. Antique Chinese examples protect the room while adding decorative detail.
- Hardstone
- Minerals such as jade or soapstone used for inlay work on panels. These stones provide contrasting colour and texture against the wood.
- Meiji
- A Japanese historical period associated with export goods. Pieces from this era often feature decorated lacquer and painted folding designs.
Oriental Wooden Folding Screen: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use a folding screen?
These screens act as room dividers to segment larger living spaces or serve as decorative backdrops. Smaller versions function as dressing screens in bedrooms or fire screens in front of hearths.
Position the panels at gentle angles to ensure stability when standing. The multiple folds allow the screen to flatten against a wall or curve around a corner.
What periods do these pieces span?
The inventory spans from the eighteenth century through the nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century. Pieces originate from periods including the Qing Dynasty and the Japanese Meiji era.
Earlier works often feature deep coromandel lacquer while later pieces include Anglo-Indian fretwork and early twentieth century carved bone designs.
How do I clean lacquered wood?
Dust the lacquered surfaces gently with a soft dry cloth to prevent scratching the finish. Avoid commercial polishes and water which can damage antique lacquer and inlay.
Keep the screen away from direct sunlight and strong heat sources to protect the wood and prevent the lacquer from cracking over time.
What is a coromandel screen?
A coromandel screen is a heavy Chinese folding screen finished with dark incised lacquer. Artisans carved through layers of lacquer to reveal contrasting colours underneath.
These grand eight fold pieces depict intricate scenes with figures and landscapes, serving as focal points in traditional and modern interiors.