Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Balinese Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Stained Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold, Brass
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Silk, Wood
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
20th Century Chinese Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Lacquer
1920s European Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Indonesian Paintings and Screens
Paint, Canvas
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Metal
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Linen
1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century American Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Asian Qing Paintings and Screens
Wood
1980s Dutch Other Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Shell, Wood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
Late 20th Century British Art Deco Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Expressionist Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Korean Meiji Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk, Paper
20th Century Korean Other Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Korean Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Textile, Brocade
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Metal
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 1900s Tibetan Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric
20th Century Chinese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Metal
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century British Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Fabric
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.