The dual purposes of the rosette, leaving decoration aside, are both enhanced by having it deeper rather than shallower.
One is to seal the end grain against too rapid a movement of moisture in variable humidity, and the rosette can o ly do this to the degree that it penetrates the top. 5/6ths is my nominal goal.
The other is to stiffen the soundhole lip. Any flexibility in the soundhole lip can introduce distortion and therefore unevenness to the sound of the guitar.
This may appear to be a small thing, but it is a series of small things that add up to the difference between mediocrity and greatness, usually. There is very little in the design of a guitar that does not have a purpose beyond aesthetics.
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