Kishi Ganku
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Silk
Antique 18th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Silk
Antique Mid-19th Century Asian Edo Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
People Also Browsed
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Victorian Games
Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Paper, Wood, Paint
Antique Mid-18th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Metal
Antique Late 17th Century Japanese Furniture
Bronze
Antique Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Silk
Antique 19th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Antique Early 18th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Antique Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Paintings
Linen, Silk, Plexiglass, Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Paper
Antique 19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper, Silk
Recent Sales
Antique 19th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Antique 1840s Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Paper
Antique Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
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.