Paintings and Screens
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
2010s Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Linen
Late 19th Century Chinese Minimalist Antique Paintings and Screens
Elm
19th Century French Antique Paintings and Screens
Tapestry, Giltwood
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
2010s Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Linen
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 19th Century Thai Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Hollywood Regency Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
2010s Lebanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Marble, Metal, Brass
2010s Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Linen
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Iron
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold
2010s Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
1810s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Wood, Paper
19th Century Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
2010s Italian Modern Paintings and Screens
Steel
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Late 19th Century Korean Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Wood
2010s French Paintings and Screens
Straw
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold
19th Century Louis XV Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Giltwood
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Pine
19th Century Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Paintings and Screens
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel
1880s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Elm, Paper
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
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.