QING DYNASTY, LATE 18TH/19TH CENTURY

The combination of plum blossom and jue forms the rebus zenghua jinjue, which conveys a wish for promotion in rank. The auspicious message is further amplified by the inscription, which reads Junzi bao zhi fu lu chang, which may be translated as 'To be treasured by the gentleman, [may it bring the wearer] fortune, promotion, and wealth'.