Paintings and Screens
1810s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Paintings and Screens
Textile
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Glass, Wood, Paint
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper, Brocade
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Hardwood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Ceramic
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Glass, Wood, Paint
1910s Japanese Meiji Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
1790s Asian Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Parchment Paper
2010s Italian Modern Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century French Antique Paintings and Screens
Tapestry, Giltwood
1940s Argentine Art Deco Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 1900s Balinese Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 19th Century Southeast Asian Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Burl
1910s Japanese Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint, Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century French Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Silk
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Enamel
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
1970s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Leather, Suede
1970s Indian Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paint
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
Mid-18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
Tin
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass
1930s Japanese Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Bone, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brass
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
1990s American Expressionist Paintings and Screens
Acrylic, Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Enamel
1880s Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Hardwood, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
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.