At 1stDibs, there are several options of vintage Asian screens available for sale. The range of distinct vintage Asian screens — often made from
wood,
paper and
fabric — can elevate any home. There are all kinds of vintage Asian screens available, from those produced as long ago as the 19th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Vintage Asian screens are generally popular furniture pieces, but
Mid-Century Modern,
Art Deco and
Arts and Crafts styles are often sought at 1stDibs. Vintage Asian screens have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by
Mikel Dalbret and
Rajhastani are consistently popular.
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.