Chinese scholar's scroll weights, also known as "paperweights" or "book weights," were used to keep scrolls and books open and prevent them from rolling or flipping closed. They were important tools for Chinese scholars, who spent many hours reading and writing.

The use of scroll weights dates back to the Tang dynasty (618-907), where they were made from a variety of materials, including bronze, jade, and other precious stones. During the Song dynasty (960-1279), scroll weights became more intricate and decorative, and were often made from gold or silver.

In the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), scroll weights became even more popular, and were often used as decorative objects in addition to their practical function. They were made from a variety of materials, including bronze, copper, silver, and gold. Many scroll weights were also decorated with elaborate designs and inscriptions, including poems, calligraphy, and auspicious symbols.

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30 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Chinese scholar's desk set, including two brushes, scroll…

Chinese scholar's desk set, including two brushes, scroll weights and rest, all within a rectangular wooden tray, 37 cm x 22 cm

A carved agate scroll weight, late Qing dynasty, in the form of…

Late Qing Dynasty Agate Peach Scroll Weight with Chilong and Bat

A carved agate scroll weight, late Qing dynasty, in the form of a peach carved in relief with two chilong pursuing a flaming pearl and a bat among cloud scrolls, 8 cm diameter

Chinese bronze dragon form scroll weight dual dragon forms to…

Bronze Dual Dragon Scroll Weight

Chinese bronze dragon form scroll weight dual dragon forms to decorated bronze scroll weight, on square bronze base, height 5 cm, width 5 cm.

A 19th century rosewood scroll weight the rectangular bar form…

Rosewood Scroll Weight with Shishi Design

A 19th century rosewood scroll weight the rectangular bar form with rounded ends and grooved sides, the bronzed white metal top with two shishi amongst scrolls. Length 24 cm.

An unusual pair of large Chinese carved Catfish form scroll…

Chinese Catfish Scroll Weights, 42cm Length

An unusual pair of large Chinese carved Catfish form scroll weights, length 42 cm

Pair Chinese carved wood scroll weights, length 38 cm, each.

Chinese Carved Wood Scroll Weights - Pair (38cm)

Pair Chinese carved wood scroll weights, length 38 cm, each.

Pair Chinese wooden scroll weights each decorated with script…

Chinese Wooden Scroll Weights with Mandarin Script Decoration

Pair Chinese wooden scroll weights each decorated with script in Mandarin, to hardwood weights, length 30 cm approx, each.

Pair of Chinese scroll weights, of domed rectangular form,…

Chinese Pine Tree Scroll Weights (Pair)

Pair of Chinese scroll weights, of domed rectangular form, decorated with pine trees, length 29.5 cm (2)

Chinese gilt bronze scroll weight, of shaped oval form,…

Gilt Bronze Chinese Scroll Weight with Mythical Creatures

Chinese gilt bronze scroll weight, of shaped oval form, decorated with central script panel and mythical creatures, with inscription verso, length 10 cm

Pair Chinese wooden scroll weights each decorated with script…

Chinese Mandarin Script Wooden Scroll Weights

Pair Chinese wooden scroll weights each decorated with script in Mandarin, to hardwood weights, length 30 cm, each.

Pair Chinese carved wood scroll weights length 27 cm each.

Chinese Carved Wood Scroll Weights - Set of Two

Pair Chinese carved wood scroll weights length 27 cm each.

A Chinese bronze buffalo form scroll weight, Qing Dynasty…

Qing Dynasty Bronze Buffalo Scroll Weight with Stand

A Chinese bronze buffalo form scroll weight, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), circa 18th century, the scroll weight modelled as a recumbent buffalo with deep brown patina, with an associated hardwood stand. The bronze 4 cm high, 10.7 cm long. The stand 4.3 cm…

Chinese hardstone scroll weight of rectangular form, modelled…

Chinese Chilong Dragon Scroll Weight with White Metal Mounts

Chinese hardstone scroll weight of rectangular form, modelled with two confronting chilong dragons, with white metal mounts, hallmarked

Pair of Chinese spinach jade scroll weights, of long…

Chinese Spinach Jade Scroll Weights with Horse and Flowers

Pair of Chinese spinach jade scroll weights, of long rectangular form, carved with scene of a horse pulling a cart of flowers with bat in sky, in tones of green and black, length 24 cm (2) private collection Exeter, Southern Highlands

Pair of Chinese heavy wooden scroll weights, in the form of…

Chinese Wooden Kylins Scroll Weights

Pair of Chinese heavy wooden scroll weights, in the form of seated kylins, length 23 cm. Provenance: The collection of the late Dorothy Savage, latterly Dorothy Fu (1930-2010)

Chinese carved scroll weight, in wood, carved in the ofrm of a…

Chinese Prunus Branch Scroll Weight

Chinese carved scroll weight, in wood, carved in the ofrm of a prunus branch, length 19 cm

Chinese carved lapis scroll weight, carved in the form of a…

Carved Lapis Prunus Branch Scroll Weight

Chinese carved lapis scroll weight, carved in the form of a branch with prunus flowers, length 18.5 cm

Pair of Chinese heavy wooden scroll weights, of rectangular…

Chinese Wooden Scroll Weights, Pair

Pair of Chinese heavy wooden scroll weights, of rectangular form, length 14 cm (2)

An old Sino-Tibetan metal stopper shaped scroll weight, set…

Sino-Tibetan Jade and Lapis Lazuli Scroll Weight

An old Sino-Tibetan metal stopper shaped scroll weight, set with jade panels and ruby(?) cabochons and surmounted by a lapis lazuli figure. Height 16.5 cm

A pair of Chinese Huanghuali scroll weights. With carved ripple…

Chinese Huanghuali Scroll Weights with Carved Ripple Surface

A pair of Chinese Huanghuali scroll weights. With carved ripple surface. L 30 cm

A pair of Chinese bronze scroll weights, the matching pair with…

Chinese Bronze Scroll Weights with Inlay and Engravings

A pair of Chinese bronze scroll weights, the matching pair with white metal and gold coloured inlay, and engraved with bats and the image of the fabled alchemist Lin Hau and the three legged toad, Jin Chan, tossing money to a carp; engraved signature of…

Pair Chinese gilt bronze lion dog scroll weights measure 5.5 cm

Chinese Gilt Bronze Lion Dog Scroll Weights (5.5cm)

Pair Chinese gilt bronze lion dog scroll weights measure 5.5 cm

Pair Chinese calligraphy rosewood scroll weights, measures 30…

Chinese Calligraphy Rosewood Scroll Weights (30cm)

Pair Chinese calligraphy rosewood scroll weights, measures 30 cm long

Pair of Chinese mixed metal bronze scroll weights, measures 22…

Chinese mixed metal bronze scroll weights (22cm)

Pair of Chinese mixed metal bronze scroll weights, measures 22 cm long

Three various Chinese bronze scroll weights, including Buddha;…

Chinese Bronze Scroll Weights with Buddha and Monkey

Three various Chinese bronze scroll weights, including Buddha; monkey etc. Plus one other. Height 3 cm. (average)

A Chinese finely cast bronze chilong and cub scroll weight,…

Chinese Bronze Chilong and Cub Scroll Weight, 17/18th Century

A Chinese finely cast bronze chilong and cub scroll weight, 17/18th century, 6 cm long, 4 cm high

A pair of Chinese timber scroll weights, of tapering and shaped…

Chinese Timber Scroll Weights with Seals

A pair of Chinese timber scroll weights, of tapering and shaped arrow head form each with various seals in low relief to the top face, length 24 cm

A pair of Chinese brass scroll weights, rectangular and with an…

Chinese Enamelled Brass Scroll Weights with Bamboo Design

A pair of Chinese brass scroll weights, rectangular and with an impressed and enamelled bamboo and rock design in green and grey with characters and a red impressed seal; boxed. Length 21 cm. Width 4 cm

Early Chinese bone scroll weight. Engraved dec of sages, and…

Chinese Sage Scroll Weight with LI Bai Poem

Early Chinese bone scroll weight. Engraved dec of sages, and poem attrib to LI Bai in characters. Signed. Length 24 cm

A pair of Japanese scroll weights, Meiji period (1868-1912),…

Meiji Period Japanese Warrior Scroll Weights

A pair of Japanese scroll weights, Meiji period (1868-1912), the bronze shakudo weights with applied and inlaid copper, brass, gold and silver depicting in kebori engraving and dramatic relief two warriors on horseback; one marked to front, the other…