Fire Screen

Dateca. 1740

MediumMahogany, brass, copper, silk, wool, paper.

DimensionsOH: 58 3/4"; OW: 24"; OD(at base): 17"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1960-665

DescriptionFire screen: Pole screen: detachable urn finial surmounts plain round shaft upon which screen is supported. Screen has needlework on front; wallpaper on back, framed by plain strips of mahogany. Screen attached to pole at top and base by means of metal rings which encircle pole. Height of screen is adjustable, by means of spring plates between escutcheon and pole. Turned and spiral-carved bulb stops screen from descending too low on shaft. Below this, shaft tapers slightly; base ornamented with ring turning, smaller spiral-carved bulb, fillet, flaring out slightly too bell-shaped turning at base. End of shaft (hidden from view) threaded; screws into threaded hole at top of tripod. Legs of tripod base uncarved; cabriole in form, with shaped apron. Snake feet. Needlework panel: worked in tent stitch and cross stitch in silk and wool. Central female figure, dressed in blue and white, and representing America (?) seated beneath a red and blue parasol, and attended by 3 Indians. Vignette surrounded by flame-like embroidery in red, blue, and yellow. Brown ground. Wallpaper: Chinese, mid-18th c. Design of branches, leaves, and flowers. Birds perched on branches; dragon encircles branch in top left corner. Colors faded; blue on some flowers and birds; the rest, including the ground, is tan.