Screen, 17th century, Unknown, 84 3/4 x 70 1/2 x 41 1/2 in. (215.27 x 179.07 x 105.41 cm), Huang-hua-li, tie-li-mu, and ta-li marble, China, 17th century, Large screens are probably the rarest category of surviving Ming style furniture. Solid panel screens were placed inside the main entrance to buildings where they provided privacy and protection from draughts while dispelling negative cosmic energy (ch'i) seeking to harm the occupants within. They were also used as honorific backdrops for the chairs or thrones of important individuals.