The House of Miniatures

THoM Product # 40021 - Queen Anne Fire Screen

Catalog Description: A lovely companion piece to the Queen Anne Candlestand, with matching pedestal base and square top. Circa 1725-1760. 3 7/8"h x 1 1/2"w x 1 1/8"d.

Circa: 1725-1760

Style: Queen Anne

Period: Colonial

Design © 1977

Queen Anne, second daughter of James II, ruled England from 1702 until 1714. The furniture style that bears her name, however, covers a period of forty years. The Queen Anne style, developed during this age of flourishing craftsmanship, brought to American furniture greater lightness and grace and a new concept of comfort. In America, the furniture was made in a Queen Anne style from about 1725-1750. The American versions were smaller scale than older styles, but more substantial than their English counterparts. Veneer was less used here The fashionable wood was walnut, followed by the native hardwoods, maple and cherry, and then mahogany, which became most important about 1720. The fire screen, also known as "pole screen," was used as a protection from the heat of a fire Since the fireplace was the only source of heat in the homes of this period, it was common to find the lady of the home sitting near the fire to warm herself - with the firescreen protecting her face from the fire itself. They were called "pole screens" since it had a pole to support the screen itself. The screen was attached to the pole in such a manner that it could be raised or lowered to any height desired The legs are of the tripod design with the cabriole shape, and has a turned vase column to which the pole is attached The ornamentation within the frame itself consists chiefly of needle work and paintings of flowers, sometimes covered with protective glass. Found commonly in drawing rooms, parlors or sitting rooms near the fireplace

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