Fire screen
Maker & role
Unknown, Maker
Production date
Early 19th Century
Object detail
Production place
Collection
Measurements
0 - Whole, H: 75 x W: 91.5 x D: 30cm (H: 750 x W: 915 x D: 300mm)
Credit line
Purchase, 1984
Elizabeth Farm Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Elizabeth Farm Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Description
A brass and wire nursery screen (var. 'firescreen'), rectangular with rounded edges, six metal vertical supports linking top and bottom rail. Brass edging around top and bottom. Six brass knobs as feet, metal woven wire in vertical stripes culminating to more intricate criss cross pattern at top.
Typically around waist-high and with mesh or wire sides, nursery screens were originally used, as the name suggests, in nurseries and other areas where small children needed to be protected from an open fire, or sparks that might be thrown from one. They should not be confused with pole- or fire-screens that were solid and designed to shield a person from too harsh a direct heat. A fender is also easily distingusihed from a nursery screen, being quite low and designed to stop a burning coal or wood from falling out of a hearth and onto a rug or carpet.
Typically around waist-high and with mesh or wire sides, nursery screens were originally used, as the name suggests, in nurseries and other areas where small children needed to be protected from an open fire, or sparks that might be thrown from one. They should not be confused with pole- or fire-screens that were solid and designed to shield a person from too harsh a direct heat. A fender is also easily distingusihed from a nursery screen, being quite low and designed to stop a burning coal or wood from falling out of a hearth and onto a rug or carpet.
Accession number
EF87/33
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