Paintings and Screens
20th Century Indian Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
2010s Panamanian Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Hardwood
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Indian Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Victorian Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
2010s Chinese Modern Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 17th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Other, Silver Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint, Paper
20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 18th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold, Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Wool
Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Stone
1980s American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
2010s French Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
1880s Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Lacquer, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Stone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Metal
1980s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
1850s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Giltwood, Paint, Paper
2010s Lebanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Marble, Metal, Brass
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Jade
Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Elm
Early 17th Century Chinese Ming Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
1980s American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood, Lacquer, Silk
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Mirror, Wood
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.