Paintings and Screens
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Thread, Wood, Glass
Mid-20th Century American Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Taisho Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
20th Century Unknown Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
19th Century Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Late Victorian Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Wood
1950s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paper
19th Century Chinese Other Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Feathers, Hardwood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Acrylic, Wood, Paper
20th Century American Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Silk, Bamboo
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Bamboo, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century European Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Bamboo
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
Late 17th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Acrylic
Late 19th Century Japanese Showa Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
18th Century Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold
Late 20th Century Unknown Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century North American Modern Paintings and Screens
Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Canvas
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Paintings and Screens
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.