Very small seal carved from a piece of walnut. Such seals were often worn as beads which explains the hole through the centre. On the other side is a carving of five cranes under pine trees. Both the pine tree and crane are symbols of longevity but the combination of the two forms a pun ‘May the bride and groom live together for many years’. We have not been able to decipher the characters of the seal. The material from which this small gem was created, is very hard and therefore difficult to carve. It dates from the Qing period (1644 – 1912). Length 2.1 cm. Width 1.8 cm. Height 1.4 cm.