Beauties In The Rain Asian Panel
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary British Organic Modern Wall Lights and Sco...
Plaster
Antique Late 19th Century French Japonisme Planters, Cachepots and Jardi...
Faience, Majolica, Pottery
Antique 19th Century English Renaissance Revival Panelling
Wood, Pine
20th Century Japanese Taisho Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Paper
Antique Late 19th Century British Anglo-Japanese Screens and Room Dividers
Walnut
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Lacquer, Paper
Antique Late 17th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Screens and Room Dividers
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Fireplaces and Mantels
Stoneware
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Cabinets
Ormolu
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Sofas
Mohair, Velvet
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Lacquer
Metal, Bronze, Copper
Antique 18th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Wardrobes and Armoires
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Finding the Right paintings-screens for You
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.