Paintings and Screens
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Chinese Edo Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s British Other Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood
20th Century Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Metal
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
1970s Japanese Edo Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
20th Century Chinese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Meiji Paintings and Screens
Metal, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
20th Century Chinese Hollywood Regency Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
1990s British Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
1980s Asian Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Hardwood
1990s British Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Pine, Paint
1970s French Expressionist Vintage Paintings and Screens
Chrome
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Korean Showa Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
20th Century Unknown Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century British Paintings and Screens
Paper
1940s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Stone
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Copper
20th Century Unknown Paintings and Screens
Paper
1970s American Expressionist Vintage Paintings and Screens
Acrylic
20th Century Vietnamese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Eggshell, Mother-of-Pearl
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.