At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal Japanese showa screen for your home. A Japanese showa screen — often made from
paper,
fabric and
silk — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect Japanese showa screen — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. When you’re browsing for the right Japanese showa screen, those designed in styles are of considerable interest. Many designers have produced at least one well-made Japanese showa screen over the years, but those crafted by
Japanese School,
Miyata Yodo and
Shibata Suika are often thought to be among the most beautiful.
A Japanese showa screen can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $1,500, while the lowest priced sells for $55 and the highest can go for as much as $68,000.
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.