Paintings and Screens
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Italian Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Indian Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
17th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
1970s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper, Brocade
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Paint
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
2010s Chinese Paintings and Screens
Canvas
2010s Panamanian Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
2010s French Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
Mid-20th Century Korean Paintings and Screens
Paper, Silk
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 1900s Japanese Anglo-Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
1850s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Asian Other Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century British Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
1920s Chinese Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
Early 20th Century Korean Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Textile
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Plexiglass
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk, Paper
1830s Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Neoclassical Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Lacquer
1980s Japanese Japonisme Vintage 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.