Openwork rosette depicting the ’Three friends of Winter’, the plum tree, pine tree and bamboo. The pine tree and the bamboo remain green even in icy winters while the plum is the first to bloom every year. They are admired for their resistance to the elements. All three are symbols of longevity. To our surprise the centre flower has six petals whereas a Plum blossom has only five. Was it a mistake or artistic freedom by the carver? The flower was previously in the possession of Rudolph Voll (1911-2009) who acquired it in the 1970’s in Hong Kong. For further information about Rudolph Voll see Quick Find 5139. A similar type of flower (nr 394) is depicted in professor Cheng Te-k’un’s book ‘Jade Flowers and Floral Patterns in Chinese Decorative Art’。