Unless it’s ultra-valuable, you’re not crazy to alter it. Coromandel screens are prolific, however if you’re at all uneasy about proceeding, seek an expert’s opinion. Now, why do you want to screen your tv? (I assume that means you’re trying to hide it.)

What a beautiful piece. I guess it all depends on the value of the intact screen, and how it would look hiding a TV. Have you seen this sort of thing done before?

ETA: Found this. Is this along the lines of what you're thinking?

How are the feet attached. I would like to see the method of attachment but would wonder how the screen would be able to stand securely without the feet. Standing the screen accordion fashion would not display it best. Hanging from the ceiling in the same manner probably would damage the lacquer as it would normally chip where hanging brackets would go.

I would like to suggest selling this screen to someone that would appreciate a screen that is over 100 years old and purchasing another object to hide your tv.

Sammy, I don't think it's an ultra-valuable screen. I've done some further research and it could have a value anywhere between 2-4 thousand dollars. I'll need to see if someone local could come to look at it. If it's at the lower end then I don't mind altering it to hang on the wall to cover the TV.

IdaClaire, Thanks for the picture. The screen would not be over a fireplace. I'll probably have a low credenza type table below the TV. The ceilings are 11 feet tall and the screen would be approximately 5'7" after the feet are removed, which would leave enough room to hang the screen.

Maifleur01, The feet are attached and not a separate piece. I'm also wondering how the screen would be attached to the wall. My designer says it's possible but that's as far in the conversation we had. It is very heavy. We thought about selling but don't think many people out there are looking for a Chinese screen.

LOL Lindac! "It would be similar to taking a Philadelphia 200 year old low boy and turning it into a bathroom vanity with holes for the plumbing and a basin."

Exactly why I'm hesitant!

I would alter it as you are repurposing something that will produce a beautiful and functional result.

Perhaps not quite the same but I recently modified my Art Deco vanity to use as twin nightstands. I had the bureau and armoire refinished. I didn't need a vanity anymore and now I have turned the vanity into something functional.

I also had an old stained glass window that I had rescued from a Victorian house that I repurposed as a mirror for my guest bathroom, In order for it to function as a mirror, a portion of the actual stained glass had to be covered with mirror. At first I balked because it was destroying the "integrity" of the piece but I think the end result is quite nice. See pictures below of "virgin" window and modified. The actual mirrored element hadn't been installed but my designer wanted to show me where it would be and what it would cover.

Unless this is something extraordinarily rare and valuable from the Ming Dynasty, it's just a nice decorative item. The cost to procure an equally lovely piece would probably be more than the amount you would get if you sold it.

I also had some Gothic sconces replated from their original silver to a finish that will match the oil rubbed bronze/copper fixtures in my guest bathroom and bought vintage brass door knobs and plates that were originally brass and had them replated to match the oil rubbed bronze hardware.

I wold assume your designer knows what he or she is talking about in terms of how the adapted screen will function and look. I relied on my designer quite a bit in terms of having a vision and am quite pleased with how things have been working.

Original Stained Glass Window

Blacked out portion indicates how a portion of the mirror will be covered with the actual mirror.

Well, you've swayed my opinion on this, Helen. Strong argument.

I say go for it. After all, you can’t take it with you. :)

It's not a matter of taking it with you, but of destroying a bit of history. The difference between an antique Chinese lacquer screen and a stained glass window. Thinking that screen is likely worth $5,000 at the least
and there are newer and smaller Chinese screens out there that would make a fine TV screen.

Designers are not concerned with history as much as the superficial- appearance.

Once you start cutting bits off an antique you have intentionally destroyed the integrity of something that cannot be replaced.

I question if your intended purpose is really worth the trouble. One hears of people doing this but I still doubt that these screens are more than rarely used i.e. closed. It's a very hoity toity concept but if you have the TV--won't you be using it most of the time?

With the constantly changing technology in televisions, I would not adapt an antique screen to fit my current tv. I agree that resale probably is not a viable option. If you can't use it now, fold it up, put in a closet, and come back to it later in life.

It’s an awfully lovely screen to alter, for me. I would find another solution.

Why would one keep the screen or cabinet door open when not in use.

I am of the opinion that television screens are not attractive. Many people go to lengths to hide them including cabinets with lifts that go up or down so the television is not on view when not in use.

I deliberately built a cabinet to hold my television during my remodel which acts as a large room divider between my office and the more formal part of my living room. It has what I call a stripper pole television so the television can be viewed from both sides and there are doors on both sides to disguise it when not in use.

There is a television on the market which looks like a large frame - literally - and so it displays a piece of art/photo of your choice. So it looks like framed art instead of a television when not in use.

My bedroom has a standard wall hung television but that's my private area with the wall visible from the bed.

People routinely pull drapes or shades up or down and perform other acts so not sure why shutting a cabinet door is more of an issue.

Is this screen in fact a rare antique. There are a lot of reproductions of items or even vintage items that are not particularly valuable and it's not necessarily a blasphemy to alter them from their original purpose.

For me, it's solely an economic, functional and aesthetic decision. If the screen isn't worth thousands of dollars why not convert to a use that is both functional and aesthetic.

It's not a matter of taking it with you, but of destroying a bit of history.

It’s not being “destroyed;” it’s being slightly modified to screen (which was the original purpose of it, right?) a television. Moreover, it’s being given pride of place in the home. What an honor to those who created it!

Thinking that screen is likely worth $5,000 at the least

Based on comps, I think that your valuation is a bit off.

I.M. Chait Gallery/Auctioneers, Beverly Hills, California

Estimate $350 - $450

Sold for $175

Aug 23, 2015

Helen, I wish I could “Like” your stained glass post a thousand times. And what I wrote above about the screen being given pride of place and what an honor that is to the artisans applies to your project, too! :)

Btw, would you mind divulging the name of the tile manufacturer? It’s to die for.

@Sammy - Thanks for the compliment regarding the tiles. They were a bit of a splurge but the cost differential between these and the ones I didn't "love" were insignificant as compared to the total cost. Within reason the construction costs of remodeling a bathroom with a tile shower etc. are so high, that (within reason of course), the cost of materials is relatively minor.

These tiles are from Encore and are the 3" x 6" tiles.

Encore Tiles

The specific tiles are Precocious Blue

Precocious Blue

Thank you Helen! They really are gorgeous. And looking at that stained glass window again, did you and your designer ever discuss backlighting it? I’m picturing it at night and thinking how extraordinary it would look. With so many options in LED lighting (tape, for example), I think it could be done pretty inconspicuously.

The argument for destroying an antique has been used to "modify" things like ancient trees that get in the way of the view. With the Chinese wanting to reclaim many of the objects that were taken/sold to other parts of the country unless a person with knowledge actually looks at the screen it may be simply an export item worth little or something more that has a greater value. Perhaps the OP can locate a company dealing with oriental antiques and send them a picture.

I can tell that some that are of the modify group have never seen what happens to lacquerware when it is taken apart. Believe me it ain't pretty.

Oh, Helen! Those tiles are lovely!

This has been an interesting discussion for sure. What is the most interesting comment is that arcy_gw thinks that this is a "very hoity toity concept". :-) Never quite thought of it any other way than to hide the TV. We are not avid TV watchers but like to have one handy for others that do enjoy. I just don't like seeing the big black hole on the wall.

I think I'll explore the TV, that Helen mentioned, that looks like framed art when the TV is not in use. Probably would be a lot easier than trying to hang that heavy screen. Then there is the idea of the chipping lacquerware when it is taken apart. Never thought about that! Thanks, maifleur01!

The screen that Sammy posted is very similar to mine. It's sad that screen only went for $175. Definitely is worth more than that.

I think I'll pack this screen away and not modify it.

Thank you all for your insight. It helps to hear others ideas and thoughts.

If the aesthetics appeal to you, why not have a discussion with your designer regarding how it would be done.

I am not 100% certain of what you intend to do - you would take off the feet and then instead of having one large screen you would disattach in the middle so the screen could be folded back when not in use.

I would think a talented woodworker would be able to do something like this without damaging the screen and if necessary would be able to reattach the hinges and put the feet back on. And then repair any chips - that's the kind of restoration that is done a lot.

Since you obviously still feel the piece is aesthetically pleasing to you, I don't understand why you would stash it away when it could continue to provide pleasure to you.

There is also the TV that looks like a mirror option. And just in case you are looking for any other options, I saw a house where the TV was hidden behind paneling on the wall. I don't have a picture. Imagine a wall with regular moulding and paneling in a rectangular pattern, when you pushed on two of the panels, they opened and revealed the TV.

Kind of like this: https://www.google.com/search?q=tv+hidden+behind+paneling+on+wall&client=safari&rls=en&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjx4sSv1pjgAhUKUa0KHWgqCw0Q_AUIDygC&biw=1490&bih=991#imgrc=GxbwCIjnLRZP7M:

I am glad you are saving the screen, regardless of its current retail value. I appreciate the screen for its artistry, history and craftsmanship.