French Country · Encyclopedia · Tableware, Kitchen and Decorative Objects
Fireplace Screen
Pare-feu screens in iron, brass and needlework.
Candlesticks & Fireplace · Indicative US retail $80–$1,500
At a glance
- Family: Candlesticks & Fireplace
- Periods most often found: Most date from 1800 to 1950.
- Typical price: about $300; range $80 to $1,500 and more for exceptional pieces
- What drives value: Material, size
What it is
Fireplace screens (pare-feu, écrans de cheminée) protected rooms and people from sparks and from the direct heat of the fire. Pole screens, an adjustable panel on a stand, shielded ladies' faces; panel screens with embroidery, tapestry or painted silk stood before summer hearths; brass and iron mesh screens kept embers in place. French Louis XV and XVI-style screens with carved and gilded frames and Napoleon III needlework screens are common.
How to identify and date it
Check the frame for stability and loose joints, the carving and gilding for losses, and embroidered or tapestry panels for fading, holes and repairs. Mesh should be intact and firmly attached. Folding brass screens should open and close easily.
Hand-embroidered screens on stands and brass mesh screens.
Periods and styles
Most date from 1800 to 1950.
How much is it worth?
On the US retail market, most fireplace screen examples ask around $300. Simple or worn pieces start near $80, while documented, signed or exceptional examples can pass $1,500. The main value drivers are: material, size. These are indicative ranges, not an appraisal; see our price guide for French antiques for the method.
Before you buy
- Check stability
- Inspect panel or mesh
- Look at the frame
Living with it
A screen in front of an unused fireplace keeps the hearth decorative in summer.
How we write these guides: identification notes are general guidance written by French Country; a style name, a region or a resemblance does not by itself date or attribute a piece. Price ranges are indicative US retail asking prices for antique and vintage examples in sound condition (dealers, specialist marketplaces and auctions), estimated and rounded as of November 2026; check recent sold results before relying on a figure. They are not appraisals or offers to buy or sell: condition, provenance and documentation can move a value far outside the range. For insurance, estates or sales, ask an independent, qualified appraiser for a written valuation.