Paintings and Screens
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
1950s Asian Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century French Antique Paintings and Screens
Stone
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Glass
1980s American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paint
Late 20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Enamel
1880s Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Japanese Victorian Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
Late 20th Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Paintings and Screens
Stone
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Lacquer
19th Century Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Lacquer
1990s Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Foil
Early 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Silk
2010s Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Linen
2010s Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Linen
2010s Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Linen
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Fabric
20th Century Philippine Modern Paintings and Screens
Early 20th Century Mongolian Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Asian Moorish Paintings and Screens
Shell
Mid-20th Century Vietnamese Paintings and Screens
Wood, Canvas
1930s American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Late 19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Mongolian Antique Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Late 20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Silk
2010s Japanese Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Sandstone
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
2010s Japanese Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Sandstone
2010s Japanese Japonisme Paintings and Screens
Sandstone
2010s Japanese Modern Paintings and Screens
Linen
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
1980s Chinese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Ceramic
19th Century Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Art Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Metal, Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
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.