Fire Screen c. 1855

This fire screen, whose maker is unknown, features both needlework and wood carving. The central panel is an elaborate floral still life, meticulously stitched, while the frame is an exercise in virtuoso carving. Notice the contrast between the flat, pictorial surface of the needlework and the frame's deep, three-dimensional relief. The frame shows a high degree of skill with undercutting and ornate detailing. Although we don’t know who made this fire screen, it clearly represents a collaboration between a needleworker and a carver. The floral panel suggests countless hours of labor, reflecting a culture of domestic craft and the skilled artisans who supported it. Objects like these demonstrate the intricate relationship between art, labor, and the decorative arts. It challenges our traditional notions of "high art" by elevating domestic crafts to a level of sophisticated artistry.