largely intact original turn of the century antique american solid oak wood interior residential "room divider" or colonnade header designed and fabricated by or for the decorators' supply company, chicago, il. the heavy oversized header section with two arch top openings retains the original stained finish that has darkened considerably over the years. the double-sided section contains elaborate classical style gesso or "plastic" ornament on the front and back side. the divider header was salvaged from a graystone residence undergoing demolition. the decorators supply company traces its history back to 1883 when the original founders, simon strahn and richard c. foster, established a partnership to manufacture "artistic decorative accessories" ("manufacturing and wholesale industries of chicago", thomas b. poole co., published 1918). an old lease document dated april 13, 1890 describes the company as a carving and guilders business. by 1893, decorators supply had blossomed into a manufacturer of cast ornamental plaster. the company was involved in the fabrication of the mouldings that would adorn the buildings and halls showcased in the columbian exhibition of 1893. these buildings, embellished with ornamental plaster, became known as the "white city." this world's fair of 1893 attracted a wealth of world class artists, sculptors, carvers and craftsmen to chicago. decorators supply drew from this rich talent pool the german, italian and polish artisans who over the following four decades would create the artistic legacy seen in their product offerings. 78 3/4 inches x 5 1/2 inches x 21 1/4 inches.