Paintings and Screens
1920s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bone, Hardwood
Early 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Pine
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
19th Century Chinese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Bamboo, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Late 20th Century Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Faux Bamboo, Paint, Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
20th Century Korean Showa Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century Chinese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Silver Leaf
20th Century Southeast Asian Hollywood Regency Paintings and Screens
Teak
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Paper
1910s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Paper
1690s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Paper, Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
1860s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 20th Century Hong Kong Paintings and Screens
Paper
1640s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century Japanese Chinoiserie Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Shell, Fruitwood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
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.