Paintings and Screens
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 1900s French French Provincial Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
1950s Thai Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Wood, Lacquer
1970s Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Shell
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Porcelain, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Bronze
1990s Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Foil
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Brass
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Paper
1950s Indian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Teak
Mid-20th Century Indian Agra Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Enamel
1950s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
1980s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Silk, Wood
Late 20th Century American Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Birch, Acrylic
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
1920s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
1960s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Stained Glass, Wood
1940s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Shell, Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Indian Paintings and Screens
Glass, Canvas
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 1900s Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Mother-of-Pearl, Hardwood
1950s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Paint
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Leather, Fabric, Textile, Tapestry, Thread, Natural Fiber, G...
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
20th Century Italian Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
1950s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Plexiglass
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Paper, Silk
20th Century North American Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
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.