Refers to screens comprising two or more panels in a frame which has hinged sections that can be folded to adjust coverage. They are often decorated. Early examples include the Chinese form, mentioned as early as the 2nd century BCE. The earliest surviving examples date to the Ming dynasty. Folding screens were introduced to Japan from China in the 8th century; such screens were often designed in pairs in Japan. From the early 17th century eastern folding screens were imported to Europe and the form was soon adopted by European craftsmen.

Source: Art and Architecture Thesaurus
http://vocab.getty.edu/page/aat/300265156