Screen

A paravent usually consists of several articulated wings. The furniture fulfils the role of a movable wall used to cover or enclose a space. It is one of the most functional and handy furnishings used in residential interiors. Its name comes from the Italian 'para vento', meaning a shelter from the wind. The French borrowed the term and popularised it under the name 'paravent', meaning a screen. The first ones were constructed in China, from where they found their way to Japan. They probably appeared in Europe in the 16th century, when the expeditions of explorers and merchants aroused European fascination with the Far East. Due to the interest in the broader culture of China and Japan, the demand for Far Eastern handicrafts or their European imitations increased. It was particularly evident in arts and crafts. In Europe, screens enjoyed their most tremendous popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries. With time their style completely changed, not resembling the Far Eastern one at all, but adapting it to the needs of the current European fashion. As the 19th century progressed and awareness of hygienic needs grew, the screen often became only a functional household appliance with neutral aesthetics, like the presented three-winged piece of furniture with a frame structure filled with fabric at the bottom, glazed at the top. Its brass articulated hinges allow for convenient and quick adjustment of the angle of the wings. Teresa Bagińska-Żurawska https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9243-3967