Paintings and Screens
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
2010s Chinese Modern Paintings and Screens
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
2010s French Paintings and Screens
Straw
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
2010s French Modern Paintings and Screens
Copper, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
2010s Mexican Paintings and Screens
Iron
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Paintings and Screens
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary American Paintings and Screens
Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Paintings and Screens
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
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.