British Colonial Teakwood Room Divider

This arched Teak wall was once part of the interior architecture of a Burmese veranda house. These large and elegant structures were built in the colonial cities of Rangoon and Mandalay during the 19th and 20th Centuries. Veranda houses usually had brick masonry walls on the ground floor and wooden walls and deep verandas with overhanging eves on the second floor. Trees completed the architecture, providing shade. The goal was protection from sunlight and breezy airflow. Accordingly, walls were often fitted with adjustable louvers or openings that could be fitted with gauzy curtains. Since this wall segment is in excellent condition, it was probably protected by a deep veranda. This piece is teak wood with original varnish. Teak was preferred because of its resistance to both moisture and insects.