Small seal carved from a piece of walnut. Such seals were often worn as beads which explains the hole through the centre. The other side has a depiction of a rooster, one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac. The rooster stands for Reliability and is a symbol of Fidelity and Punctuality. It is also a symbol of Advancement because the Chinese name for its crest is the same as that for an official (guān). The pine tree on the seal represents Longevity. The material from which this small item is carved, is rather hard and therefore difficult to carve. It dates from the Qing period (1644 – 1912). Length 2.0 cm. Width 1.7 cm. Height 1.1 cm.