Bertil Vallien fire screen

Fire screen, designed by Bertil Vallien in the 1970s, was produced by Boda Smide in Sweden. The piece is executed entirely in black lacquered iron and consists of three mesh panels joined with hinges, allowing it to be freestanding and adaptable to various fireplace widths. The central panel is rectangular and flanked by two narrower, angled side panels, forming a gentle, protective arc.

The upper edge of the screen features a decorative frieze composed of iron rods topped with circular discs of varying sizes, arranged in a rhythmically alternating pattern. This sculptural detail brings a playful yet orderly contrast to the grid-like mesh that constitutes the main surface of each panel. The mesh provides functional fire protection while maintaining visual transparency and airflow. The finish is matte black, consistent with the aesthetic language of Swedish forged ironwork from the mid-20th century.

Bertil Vallien, primarily known for his glass design with Kosta Boda, also explored metal during his early years at Boda Smide, a workshop affiliated with the Boda glassworks. His ironwork from this period often blends utility with whimsical or symbolically charged ornamentation. The circle motif used in this fire screen reflects Vallien’s interest in simple geometric repetition and modular forms, echoing wider tendencies in Scandinavian decorative arts during the 1960s and 70s.

This piece represents a crossover between artisanal craftsmanship and serial production, characteristic of Boda Smide’s approach to functional design objects.

Dimensions: 88 cm wide x 10 cm deep x 39.5 cm high (34.6 in x 3.9 in x 15.6 in).