A Louis XVI six-leaf mahogany screen, Paris by 1780

This six-leaf folding screen is fully hinged with double-revolving gilded bronze hinges. Each leaf consists of a solid mahogany frame in which a fabric-covered screen slides. The height of the screen can be adjusted using gilt bronze pull handles and a system of leaf springs. Each leaf is upholstered on both sides: one side with green silk tafettas and on the other with striped fabric.

This folding screen was an accessory of domestic life in the 18th century. Its refined execution was influenced by the Anglomania that marked the tastes of the elite in the second half of the 18th century, and its clear lines highlight the simple mahogany mouldings. It was designed to protect from both heat and cold, and was placed near the seats around which people wanted to create a little comfort and intimacy. The movable leaves can be raised to let in the warm air from stoves and fireplaces.