Paintings and Screens
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
2010s Italian Modern Paintings and Screens
Brass
1880s Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Stone, Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens
Brocade, Silk
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Paper
Early 19th Century Korean Antique Paintings and Screens
Cotton, Paint
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Glass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
20th Century Ming Paintings and Screens
Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
1980s Balinese Folk Art Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Paintings and Screens
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century Tibetan Paintings and Screens
Faux Bamboo, Paint, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass, Gold Leaf
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Brass
19th Century Chinese Antique Paintings and Screens
Paint, Paper
1920s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Paintings and Screens
Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Japanese Showa Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Paintings and Screens
Wood
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paper
1980s American Vintage Paintings and Screens
Canvas
1920s Japanese Taisho Vintage Paintings and Screens
Wood, Silk
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper
Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Antique Paintings and Screens
Paper, Wood
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Paintings and Screens
Glass, Wood, Paint, Silk
1940s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Paintings and Screens
Stone
Early 20th Century Chinese Paintings and Screens
Silk, Glass, Wood
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Paintings and Screens
Brass
1970s French Expressionist Vintage Paintings and Screens
Chrome
Late 20th Century Chinoiserie Paintings and Screens
Silk, Paper
Mid-20th Century Japanese Victorian Paintings and Screens
Soapstone
20th Century Japanese Paintings and Screens
Gold, Gold Leaf
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Paintings and Screens
Lacquer, Paper
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Wood, Paper, Silk
1940s Japanese Vintage Paintings and Screens
Paper
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Paintings and Screens
Stone
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Paintings and Screens
Gold Leaf
19th Century Korean Folk Art Antique Paintings and Screens
Silk, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Paintings and Screens
Textile
1970s Vintage Paintings and Screens
Leather, Suede
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.