Paintings and Screens
20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Korean Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Wood, Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Metal
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Plexiglass, Wood
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Wood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
19th Century Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paint
1980s Chinese Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
20th Century Chinese Other Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Paint
1980s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Elm
Late 20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Marble
Late 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Paintings and Screens
Wood, Organic Material
20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
Fabric
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Southeast Asian Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Burl
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Giltwood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk, Brocade
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Gold
Late 20th Century French Paintings and Screens
Oak, Paper
20th Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood, Paint
1970s Dutch Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Lacquer
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
19th Century Chinese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Hardwood, Paper
1830s Indian Other Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Giltwood, Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 1900s Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Marble, Brass
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold
19th Century Chinese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Chippendale Antique Paintings and Screens
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Lacquer, Paint, Wood
1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Chinese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
1890s Chinese Chinese Chippendale Antique Paintings and Screens
Mirror, Wood
Late 19th Century Chinese International Style Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Paper
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.