Antique Pair William IV Mahogany & Gilded Screens c.1835

A fire screen began as a functional piece of furniture that acted as a shield between the people of a room and the fireplace.  The primary function was to reduce the discomfort of excessive heat from a log fire protect the room from open flames and flying embers that may be emitted by the fire and were used to cover the fireplace when nothing was burning inside it, and make it look more decorative.
 
Early firescreens were generally shaped as flat panels standing on attached feet, or as adjustable shield shaped panels mounted on tripod table legs.
They were use to protect 17th to 19th century lady's makeup which often contained ingredients of fat and bees wax and was prone to melting and running down their faces.
   
The horse screen, or cheval screen  was in common use from the 18th century. It is a wide screen having two feet on each side, the arrangement of the feet giving the screen its name.