Paintings and Screens
1940s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Paintings and Screens
Felt, Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
17th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Elm, Lacquer
18th Century Chinese Other Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Other Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper, Brocade
1930s Burmese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Pine
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century American Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Other Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century Unknown Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
20th Century Korean Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
17th Century Indian Other Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
1890s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Paintings and Screens
Metal
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
1970s Hungarian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Mid-20th Century Unknown Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Enamel
1950s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Acrylic
1960s Israeli Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Acrylic
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold, Bronze
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Asian Taisho Paintings and Screens
Gold, Silver
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century International Style Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 17th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
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.