Paintings and Screens
20th Century French Directoire Paintings and Screens
Wood, Mahogany, Glass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Bone, Hardwood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
1970s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Leather, Suede
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Lacquer
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Silk, Bamboo
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Enamel
1960s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Brass
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Silk, Glass, Paint
1940s Chinese Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Silk
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint, Paper
1910s Japanese Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint, Acrylic
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
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
Silk, Wood, Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Enamel
20th Century Asian Showa Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
Late 20th Century Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Acrylic, Paint
Early 20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
1980s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Stone
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
Tin
1910s Japanese Meiji Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
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.