Paintings and Screens
1980s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Hardwood
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Enamel
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Giltwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Neoclassical Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Elm
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood, Precious Stone
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Porcelain, Wood
Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
1970s Israeli Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
20th Century North American Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
1980s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint
1980s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
1970s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Philippine Modern Paintings and Screens
Mid-20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Glass, Canvas
1920s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper, Silk
1950s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
1950s Thai Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Shell
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.