Paintings and Screens
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
17th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Metal, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Metal, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Other Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
19th Century Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
20th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 1900s Balinese Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bamboo, Paint, Paper
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
1940s Asian Vintage Paintings and Screens
Glass, Hardwood, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Bamboo, Wood
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 17th Century Japanese Medieval Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Elm
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Bamboo, Wood
19th Century Thai Other Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fruitwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
1970s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mid-17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
Late 20th Century Balinese Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Korean Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Asian Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 1800s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Metal, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Antique Asian Paintings and Screens
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.