Description

Since its earliest days, Chinese society has had a great affinity for allegory. Traditional representations of the seasons in art and culture are the Flowers of the Four Seasons, considered emblematic of each season’s mood and characteristics; winter’s resilient plum blossom, spring’s showy tree peony, summer’s plentiful lotus and autumn’s hardy chrysanthemum. Companion to each flower is an insect. Winter’s bee represents industry and thrift, spring’s butterfly joy. The dragonfly is a customary emblem of summer, and autumn’s cicada of immortality. The Four Seasons collection celebrates the customary quartet of blossoms, richly sculpted in classic Chinese fashion.