Paintings and Screens
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Wood, Glass
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Glass
1910s Japanese Meiji Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Paper
1990s Chinese Paintings and Screens
Stone
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Wood
1980s Chinese Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
1980s Chinese Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Paintings and Screens
Copper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paint
1980s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Glass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 20th Century Taiwanese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Bamboo
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Silk, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Linen, Wood
1920s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Indonesian Paintings and Screens
Paint
1920s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Paper, Wood
Early 20th Century Indonesian Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Organic Modern Paintings and Screens
Wood, Organic Material
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Muslin, Elm
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Pine, Paint
1920s Chinese Art Deco Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho 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.