Thursday, August 10th, 2006
This fireplace screen is a late 19th Century piece in the French Rococo style, which was originally at its peak of popularity during the reign of King Louis XV ( 1723-74). Screens of this type were produced in brass, bronze or cast iron with a plated finish. To test for brass or bronze simply scratch on the back with a nail file and it will scratch easily showing as a yellowish/gold streak.
Cast iron is difficult to scratch and will show a dull gray shade. Household furnishings in the Rococo style style have fallen in and out of fashion several times since it’s
original inception during the early years of the 1700’s, with revivals during the Victorian era, the turn of the 19th Century, the early 1920’s, the early 1960’s and again 1990’s.