Paintings and Screens
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Paper
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Acrylic
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1970s Indian Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Gold
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold
Late 19th Century Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Giltwood, Paint, Paper
2010s Italian Modern Paintings and Screens
Brass
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Balinese Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
1910s Japanese Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint, Acrylic
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 20th Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Silver Leaf
Early 18th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold, Gold Leaf
1810s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Brass
1960s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Mid-19th Century French Schoolhouse Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paint
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Antique Asian Paintings and Screens
Traditional Asian paintings were often created on scrolls and folding screens. Artisans made screens that could be folded up or spread out by connecting several panels using hinges. Today, antique Asian folding screens and paintings are sophisticated decorative accents that can serve as makeshift partitions to ensure privacy.
The original folding screens were created by Chinese artists. The earliest record of screens comes from the 2nd century B.C., and surviving examples date back to the Ming dynasty. Chinese painting utilizes many of the same tools as calligraphy — these screens were crafted from wood with painted panels featuring striking art or calligraphy that told cultural stories or represented nature and life in the area.
The practice was introduced to Japan, where paintings for screens were made on paper and silk, in the 8th century. These paintings frequently feature subjects such as landscapes, animals, flowers and Buddhist religious themes. Along with screens for tea ceremonies and dance backgrounds, there were screens for use in Shinto and Buddhist temples.
In the 17th century, screens began to be imported to Europe where their popularity grew. Coco Chanel famously collected Coromandel folding screens.
Traditional Asian paintings can make a tasteful addition to any wall, and screens can be used as decoration or, in the case of larger iterations, as an aesthetic way to divide a large room. Browse the selection of antique Asian paintings and screens from a variety of styles and eras on 1stDibs.