Four Seasons Scroll Weight: Summer

"Four Chinese zitan scroll weights, inlaid with bamboo carved to represent the four seasons, each signed Wulin, each 10 1/2” long. This set of four scroll weights dates from the Republic of China circa 1930. It is important to note that Chinese decorative works of art as well as functional works of art produced during the time of Republic of China (1911 - 1949) are highly valued in today’s market. The seasons of the year are represented with plum (winter), orchid (spring), bamboo (summer), and chrysanthemum (fall). In addition to representing seasons of the year, the floral motifs have further importance in Chinese art and culture. The plum blossom is regarded as a symbol of longevity. Orchids are the emblem of love, beauty and refinement. Bamboo is symbolic of long life and fidelity. The chrysanthemum represents joviality, health and prolonged life.

Bamboo is revered as a symbol of long life, constancy and fidelity. Bamboo (Bambuse arundinacea) is the most difficult wood to carve. It is as hard as horn, although it is hollow and segmented. It is lustrous and it ranges in hue from lemon to black, with warm tones in cherry red, tortoise shell, and mahogany, as well as variegated hues.

Zitan wood is a purplish black wood and one of the most important woods in Chinese decorative arts. Zitan is the hardest and heaviest of all the hardwoods. Due to the scarcity of large zitan trees, objects made of zitan are considered exceptional treasures. There are two species which are native to China: Pterocarpus santalinus and Pterocarpus indicus." - Bernie McManus, Appraiser, Woodbury House, Connecticut, 10/29/2007