Fire screen

A fire screen began as a form of furniture that acted as a shield between an occupant of a room and the fireplace, and its primary function was to reduce the discomfort of excessive heat radiating from a log fire. Early firescreens usually were shaped as flat panels standing on attached feet, or as adjustable shield-shaped panels mounted on tripod table legs.

Firescreens in the modern home have become decorative shields of sheet metal, glass, or wire mesh that can be placed in front of a fireplace opening to protect the room from open flames and flying embers that may be emitted by the fire.

Fire screens were used to cover the fire when nothing was burning inside it. They were used to make what could have been a boring hole in the wall look more decorative.