America / c. 1878–80
Fire Screen
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Fire Screen as furniture and woodwork (America · c. 1878–80).
Produced by the New York decorating firm Herter Brothers, this screen would have been used to shield sitters from the heat of a fireplace.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this furniture and woodwork as gilded wood, painted and gilded wood panels, brocaded silk, embossed paper and credits Herter Brothers (American).
The museum's collection notes: During the 1870s the New York firm of Herter Brothers produced some of the most sophisticated and technically refined furniture made anywhere in the world at that date. Although the firm is known to have made a considerable quantity of gilded furniture, this fire screen is one of only a few examples to survive in good condition. The painted and gilded embossed panel of birds and flowers was likely made in Japan.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtFire ScreenOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.