Folding screen | |||||||
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![]() Chinese folding screen used at the Austrian imperial court, ca. 18th century, the Imperial Furniture Collection | |||||||
Traditional Chinese | 屏風 | ||||||
Simplified Chinese | 屏风 | ||||||
Literal meaning | "Wind Blocker", "Wind Stopper", or "Wind Wall" | ||||||
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A folding screen, also known as pingfeng (Chinese: 屏風; pinyin: píngfēng), is a type of free-standing furniture consisting of several frames or panels, which are often connected by hinges or by other means. They have practical and decorative uses, and can be made in a variety of designs with different kinds of materials. Folding screens originated from ancient China, eventually spreading to the rest of East Asia, and were popular amongst Europeans.