In fact, only a few centuries ago there were no windows to even prompt that kernel of imagination that would, in time, become the world of soft furnishings.
Take my findings at a country house from this last weekend.
The property has seen better times in its early years as a private residence but after being requisitioned in the second world war as a military headquarters and then a post-D Day Hospital it was passed around various departments of the Local Council before last non-domestic use as a fire brigade call centre.
Remarkably a good proportion of the authentic and character fittings and finishes have survived the ravages of third party and institutional use and amongst them are these great window shutters.
In their halcyon years they will have been ultimately practical in terms of ease of maintenance (very few moving parts), versatility of decoration and for safety and security, particularly if the building was not staffed or manned adequately.
These examples are plain but functional but I have also seen some very fancy, fully retractable versions which are concealed behind ornate panelling or, if in ground level rooms these cleverly disappear under the finished floor level to be deftly moved into position on slickly running pulleys, cords and counterweights.
This is the window frame detail. Note the eggshell fragility of the single glazed pane which also performs poorly in terms of thermal and noise reduction efficiency although only as far as our modern day demands dictate.
The craftsmanship is as to be expected for the Victorian era of Master Artisans as in the deep recessed panelling and mouldings although the handle/knob is likely to be a very much more recent replacement for a long lost or damaged original.
This is a small aperture window and so the shutters tuck away neatly into the recess so as not to impede the natural light. This is not however a very inspiring view onto a plain brick wall.
Fully closed the effect is neat and tidy as well as giving a good secure feeling. The age of, and a degree of natural shrinkage in the wood does not give perfect exclusion of light at the meeting point of the panels.
In side- on view you can see the recess to the window surround and the large metal fixing plate which, see below, is a good piece of industrial architecture.
It looks as though a few bits are missing but the mechanism remains in working order for all that.
Back in its recess the panelling shows its interesting detail. The lustre of multiple paint layers over successive years of decoration is a beautiful sight to behold.
Who needs curtains?
(Photos from Hestercombe House, near Taunton, Somerset, UK)
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