Find many varieties of an authentic piece of Japanese folding screen art available at 1stDibs. Was constructed with extraordinary care, often using
paper,
metal and
gold. There are 130 variations of the antique or vintage item from our selection of Japanese folding screen art you’re looking for, while we also have 42 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect choice in our collection of Japanese folding screen art — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right object in our assortment of Japanese folding screen art, those designed in
Art Deco,
Mid-Century Modern and
Arts and Crafts styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made option in this array of Japanese folding screen art over the years, but those crafted by
Japanese School,
Kano Tanshin and
Kishi Ganryo are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
Prices for a piece of Japanese folding screen art can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $248 and can go as high as $198,390, while the average can fetch as much as $7,972.
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.