We typically envision Victorian interiors with elaborate woodwork, rich fabrics and lots and lots of details. One lovely exception to this timeless style is the Victorian fireplace screen with fabric stripes. A decorative, and practical home furnishing thatappeared in countless drawing rooms and parlors all over the worldthroughout the 19th century.
Fireplaces were once the heart of the home in the Victorian era. They were not only warm, but they also became a focus of the room. Screens like these served a dual purpose: they blocked out drafts and shielded delicate British skin—especially around the face and hands—from the scorching heat of open fires. At the same time, teapots, which didn’t just boil but also radiated heat to the side, added to the risk. These screens helped protect both comfort and complexions in everyday Victorian life.
They developed into ornate furniture that showed off the household’s taste and status.
This specific fireplace screen, such as this one being sold on eBay, has a wooden frame and striped fabric panels. These vertical stripes in sometimes pale, often rich colors were a typical of the era and lent elegance. The wood frame — probably mahogany or walnut — would have been hand-carved with some of the flourishes that appealed to consumers in the late 1800s.