Fire Screen c. late 19th century

This fire screen was created by an anonymous artist, and it is a testament to domestic craft. The piece features a rectangular field of deep red, richly textured fabric, densely embroidered with floral motifs in contrasting light thread. This contrast creates a striking visual tension. The arrangement of the flowers is not symmetrical but radiates from a central point, drawing the eye inward. The scalloped lower edge adds a rhythmic visual quality, softening the geometric severity of the rectangle. The screen is mounted on an ornate, gilded stand. This elevates the embroidered panel, transforming it from a simple domestic object into a display of artistic skill. The materiality of the screen is significant; the combination of soft fabric and rigid metal creates a tension between the tactile and the visual, the intimate and the formal. Consider how the work's textures, colors, and forms combine to create a complex interplay between functionality and aesthetic value.