Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 20th Century Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Bronze
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Shell, Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Asian Qing Paintings and Screens
Wood
1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Korean Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Textile, Brocade
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
1990s Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Foil
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Metal
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 20th Century American Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Birch, Acrylic
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Wood, Lacquer
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Balinese Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Shell, Mother-of-Pearl
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Plexiglass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Glass, Giltwood, Paper
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Aluminum
Mid-20th Century Asian Showa Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Enamel
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paint, Paper
20th Century French Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Teak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Silk, Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Elm
Mid-20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Glass, Canvas
20th Century North American Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Porcelain, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese 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.