Paintings and Screens
Mid-19th Century Asian Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Mid-19th Century Asian Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Wood
Mid-20th Century International Style Paintings and Screens
Wood
Early 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper
Early 17th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
1960s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 1800s Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Bronze
19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Gold
20th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brass
1930s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
1980s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century American Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Paint
Early 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Giltwood
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
17th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Mid-18th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
1960s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Masonite
19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper, Wood
19th Century Chinese Antique 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.