Paintings and Screens
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paint
Mid-19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1990s French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Canvas
1830s Antique Paintings and Screens
Other
2010s Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1960s Israeli Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Acrylic
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
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Showa Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Paintings and Screens
Metal
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Late 19th Century Korean Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Stone
1980s North American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Masonite
Early 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
20th Century Southeast Asian Hollywood Regency Paintings and Screens
Teak
21st Century and Contemporary English Chippendale Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century French Directoire Paintings and Screens
Wood, Fabric, Glass
18th Century Moroccan Islamic Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
1870s French Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
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
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1890s English Art Nouveau Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Wood
Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood, Paint
2010s Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
2010s Nepalese Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Wood, Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century Paintings and Screens
Fabric, Wood, Lacquer, Paper
Late 19th Century Korean Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 18th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
2010s Nepalese Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Wood, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Glass
19th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Wood, Paper
2010s Nepalese Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Wood, Paint, Paper
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Paper
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Wood
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paint
20th Century Japanese 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.