Paintings and Screens
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
2010s Nepalese Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary American Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Mirror, Wood
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Metal
2010s Italian Modern Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Giltwood, Paint, Paper
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
2010s Chinese Paintings and Screens
Canvas
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Antique Paintings and Screens
Linen, Silk
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Metal
Mid-19th Century Asian Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Chinese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 2000s German Post-Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Plexiglass, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Asian Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Late Victorian Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
2010s Panamanian Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Metallic Thread
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint, Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
19th Century Tibetan Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Glass, Wood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century English Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Acrylic, Wood, Paper
1820s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Tibetan Tibetan Antique Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Silk, Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique 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.