How do I use a room screen?

A screen partitions a large room into smaller zones or blocks draughts near doors and windows. They also serve as decorative backgrounds or dressing partitions. Position the folds at gentle angles to ensure stability while allowing the painted or carved panels to face into the room.

What is a nursery screen?

A nursery screen traditionally protected children from the intense heat of an open fireplace or kept them away from hearth hazards. They often feature adjustable panels or lighter timber frames. Many surviving examples utilise mahogany or inlaid woods with low heights suited to domestic oversight.

How do I clean leather screens?

Painted and tooled leather surfaces require gentle dusting with a dry, soft cloth to prevent moisture damage. Avoid modern chemical cleaners that strip nineteenth-century varnishes. Consult a specialist conservator if the leather shows cracking or lifting along the panel folds.

Are these screens fully reversible?

Some multi-fold screens feature decorated surfaces on both sides, allowing them to face different directions in a room. Check the hinge construction to see if the panels swing both ways. Reversible designs offer flexibility when rearranging furniture layout or altering room divisions.