Paintings and Screens
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Porcelain, Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Shell
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
1920s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Linen
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
20th Century North American Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
1980s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Central Asian Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
1920s French Art Deco Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Pine
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Silk, Glass, Wood
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paper
1950s Thai Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
20th Century Italian Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
1920s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Hardwood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Paper
1930s American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper, Silk
1980s Japanese Japonisme Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Plexiglass, Paper, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
1950s Indian Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
20th Century American Modern Paintings and Screens
Plastic, Acrylic
20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Early 20th Century Asian Taisho Paintings and Screens
Gold, Silver
1990s American Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Marble
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Canvas
1930s Philippine Japonisme Vintage Paintings and Screens
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.