Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century British Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
1980s North American Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood
1920s Chinese Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
1980s Dutch Other Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
Late 20th Century British Art Deco Paintings and Screens
Paint
1980s Italian Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Expressionist Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bronze
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Silk, Glass, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Lacquer
1950s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk, Hardwood
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paint, Paper
1970s Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
Late 20th Century Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Glass, Canvas
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
1930s Philippine Japonisme Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
1920s Chinese Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Vietnamese Paintings and Screens
Wood, Canvas
1960s American Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Metal
1950s Thai Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
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.