Vintage decorative fire screen, circa 1950s
Modern black metal and mesh fire screen
A fire screen began as a form of furniture that acted as a shield between an occupant of a room and the fireplace, and its primary function was to reduce the discomfort of excessive heat radiating from a log fire. Early firescreens usually were shaped as flat panels standing on attached feet, or as adjustable shield-shaped panels mounted on tripod table legs. Firescreens in the modern home have become decorative shields of sheet metal, glass, or wire mesh that can be placed in front of a fireplace opening to protect the room from open flames and flying embers that may be emitted by the fire.
