Paintings and Screens
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
1960s Israeli Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Acrylic
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century Chinese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
1980s North American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Masonite
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
20th Century Southeast Asian Hollywood Regency Paintings and Screens
Teak
Early 20th Century French Directoire Paintings and Screens
Wood, Fabric, Glass
1960s Japanese Meiji Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
1950s Balinese Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Glass
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Chinese Edo Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Bronze
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Metal
Early 20th Century Meiji Paintings and Screens
Metal, Gold Leaf
20th Century Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s British Other Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood
1960s Philippine Mid-Century Modern Vintage Paintings and Screens
Rattan
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
20th Century Korean Showa Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Silk, 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.