Paintings and Screens
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper, Wood
Early 20th Century European Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Glass
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Chinese Chippendale Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Metal, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Burmese Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Late 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Asian Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
1980s Balinese Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Meiji Paintings and Screens
Metal, Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
1970s Japanese Edo Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood
Late 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Metal
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
1990s British Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
1990s British Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
1980s Asian Chinoiserie Vintage Paintings and Screens
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
Early 20th Century Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint, Paper
Late 20th Century American Modern Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century British Paintings and Screens
Paper
1970s American Expressionist Vintage Paintings and Screens
Acrylic
Late 20th Century American Paintings and Screens
Acrylic
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
Late 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 20th Century American Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Plexiglass, Wood, Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Cotton
1970s Unknown Modern Vintage 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.