Paintings and Screens
18th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
2010s Portuguese Organic Modern Paintings and Screens
Brass
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
2010s Mexican Paintings and Screens
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Mongolian Other Paintings and Screens
Canvas, Acrylic, Glass
1840s Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
18th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
1930s Spanish Art Deco Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Bronze
20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
Early 1800s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1930s Japanese Showa Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
Early 1900s American Arts and Crafts Antique Paintings and Screens
Copper
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Fabric
Early 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
18th Century Japanese Japonisme Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Late 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Marble
1870s Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
2010s French Modern Paintings and Screens
Copper, Brass
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood
1830s Indian Other Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Southeast Asian Tribal Paintings and Screens
Teak
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Bronze
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paint
Late 20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Paint
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Paintings and Screens
Wood
18th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silver Leaf
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper, Glass
Early 1900s Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Paintings and Screens
Silk
Late 18th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese 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.