How do you adjust the panel height?

A concealed brass collar or friction clip inside the frame allows the panel to slide up and down the vertical pole. This mechanism lets the user position the textile screen to block heat at eye level. Over decades of use, these brass fittings require careful handling to maintain their grip on the wooden shaft without marking the timber.

Where were they placed in a room?

These screens stood between the seating area and the fireplace to shield the face from intense radiant heat and prevent cosmetics from melting. They sat close to the hearth when the fire burned brightly. When not needed for heat protection, they were turned away or positioned against walls to display the embroidered needlework.

How do I care for the textile panel?

Keep the woolwork away from direct sunlight to prevent the dyed yarns from fading over time. Gentle dusting with a soft brush maintains the surface without disturbing the stitching. Avoid placing the screen too close to modern heat sources, which can dry out both the historic timber pole and the antique wool fibres.

Are the needlework panels original to the stands?

Many panels retain their first nineteenth-century woolwork, though domestic embroideries were occasionally updated or replaced by later makers. Close inspection of the mounting rabbet reveals whether the textile frame matches the age of the timber base. Both period needlework and later replacement panels appear across these listings, reflecting centuries of domestic maintenance.