Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Lacquer, Paper
Early 1900s Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Bone, Hardwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Ceramic, Clay, Luster, Porcelain, Wood, Hardwood, Paint
Early 1900s Chinese Edwardian Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Paintings and Screens
Wood
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
1910s Japanese Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint, Acrylic
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Paintings and Screens
Textile
Early 20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Stone
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Balinese Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Wood
1910s Japanese Meiji Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
Tin
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper, Brocade
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
Early 20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
1990s American Expressionist Paintings and Screens
Acrylic, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Tibetan Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Other, Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood, Lacquer, Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Precious Stone, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century 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.