Firescreen 1785 - 1795

This elegant firescreen was crafted in the late 18th century by Samuel Phippen, and it is a testament to the refined tastes of the Anglo-American elite. Such screens served a practical purpose, shielding delicate complexions from the harsh heat of the fireplace, but they also acted as symbols of status. This screen’s delicate marquetry and mahogany construction speak to a culture of conspicuous consumption and global trade networks. Consider, for example, the origins of mahogany in Central America and the Caribbean, a region deeply intertwined with the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade. Objects like this firescreen allow us to examine the visual culture of elite society and to consider the complex relationship between aesthetics, social class, and global power dynamics. By consulting period inventories, letters, and trade records, we can gain a richer understanding of the historical context in which this object was created and used.