Paintings and Screens
Mid-20th Century Japanese Victorian Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper, Brocade
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Late 20th Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Silk
1970s Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Stone
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Balinese Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Paintings and Screens
Textile
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
Late 20th Century Japanese Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
1970s Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-20th Century Balinese Tribal Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Ceramic
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Silver Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Hardwood
1940s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Metal, Brass
20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
1910s Japanese Meiji Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
1950s American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
1980s North American Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paint, Paper
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Silk
1970s Indian Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
Tin
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
1950s French Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Art Glass, Mirror, Wood
1920s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bone, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
1990s American Expressionist Paintings and Screens
Acrylic, Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint, Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Enamel
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji 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.