Paintings and Screens
1930s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Indonesian Paintings and Screens
Paint
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 2000s Indonesian Other Paintings and Screens
Shagreen, Paper
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Limestone
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Late 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
1890s Asian Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
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.