Indian Five Panel Shutter or Screen Set

Just over nine feet of shade, with gaps left on purpose for the breeze.

This five panel shutter or screen set comes from Kolkata, India, mid 19th century, in painted teak wood. In the heat of Kolkata, tall louvered shutters were a sensible answer to the climate, shading a room while letting air move through it, and they stood at the windows and doors of many large houses. Five tall panels are hinged together, each divided into three sections of wide horizontal slats. The surface is a warm reddish brown with darker patches and traces of green. Iron hinges join the panels. It stands 109 inches high.

Air conditioning, in its day.