Deer is regarded as sacred being in ancient Chinese times, believed to be able to bring auspicious happiness and longevity to people. Also as a symbol of beauty, deer and art have an indissoluble bond, and deer can be found in murals, paintings and sculptures. The ancient people paid close attention to the deer and observed it very carefully. In particular, the kindness, femininity and restrained temperament of the deer's nature are worthy of praise. The crane also has a lofty position in Chinese culture, especially the red-crowned crane, which is a symbol of longevity, good fortune and elegance. It is often associated with gods. This lot was made of the rare chenxiangmu, the gently tapering and fluted sides carved in various levels of high relief on the exterior, depicting a deer and crane beside the 'Three Friends of Winter' pine, prunus and bamboo amongst rockwork, the dark wood patinated to an oily finish. Both deer and crane are considered the auspicious symbols of elegance and longevity, often related with immortals.