Paintings and Screens
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fruitwood
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Feathers, Hardwood
1920s Chinese Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s American Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Metal
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 1900s Tibetan Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Early 20th Century Korean Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Textile
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Leather, Fabric, Textile, Tapestry, Thread, Natural Fiber, G...
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Stained Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
1920s Chinese Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Silk, Wood
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bronze
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bronze
1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Shell, Wood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Asian Qing Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Asian Showa Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Wood
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Balinese Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Enamel
Early 20th Century Korean Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Textile, Brocade
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Plexiglass
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
1950s French Vintage Paintings and Screens
Stone
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Teak
Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa 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.