Paintings and Screens
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
1960s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
2010s Hong Kong Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Pottery
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Porcelain
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Ceramic
1970s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
1970s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Mulberry Paper
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
1950s Japanese 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.