Banner Screen

No example of this needle case has been found to date and it is unknown whether it was actually produced. If you have this needle case in your possession or know of someone who has it, please contact us so that photographs of it can be obtained and added to the this website.

Design Representation

Design Details

Needle Case Type:	Figural
Patent/Registered to:	Frank J. Kendrick - Birmingham
Patent/Design Representation #:	Ornamental Class 1: Metal: #314390 (Provisional Design #1322 registered September 21, 1876)
Patent/Design Registration Date:	September 20, 1877
Location of Patent/Design Registration:	The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK
Reference #:	TNA Representation - BT 43/42/314390 TNA Register - BT 44/4/314390
Dimensions:	Unknown
Material:	Unknown
Name Variations:	Unknown
Other Variations:	Unknown

Facts

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a banner screen is defined as "a fire screen consisting of an upright pole usually mounted on a tripod and carrying a rectangular frame covered with tapestry or needlework". Here is an example of one that was recently for sale on eBay.

History

Fire screens were used in earlier times during the winter or colder months when homes were heated by open fires that often became quite hot. The fire screen was placed in front of the fireplace and by adjusting the height of the screen or opening and closing side panels one could control the amount of heat disbursed in the room. As soon as the weather became warmer, the fire screen acted as a decorative cover over the open gap in the fireplace. Once heating stoves became popular in the 1860’s fire screens became more decorative than useful.

Miscellaneous

Pole and banner screens were smaller screens in various shapes that were mounted on a pole that could be moved up or down to protect a person’s face when they were sitting to close to the heat source. Usually they were made of elaborately decorated or painted wood with embroidery or needlework. Banner screens, like the oval one below, were only popular for a short period of time during the Victorian Period.