椿鴛鴦蒔絵香合|Incense Container (Kōgō) with Camellia and Mandarin Ducks

Unknown

18th century · Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil application, and coral and ivory inlay · Asian Art

On the lid of this small maki-e (“sprinkled picture”) decorated incense container, two mandarin ducks are depicted in a stylized landscape under a blossoming camellia tree. In East Asia, mandarin ducks symbolize a perfect couple and represent marital fidelity and conjugal affection. The birds were portrayed in paintings, prints, decorative arts, plays, poetry, and prose. The drake depicted on the rock has brightly colored plumage, which is distinct from the hen’s brown feathers. Being winter birds, mandarin ducks remain after other fowl have migrated to a warmer climate, and the pair clings to each other throughout the hardship of winter.

Artist

Unknown

Date

18th century

Medium

Lacquered wood with gold, silver takamaki-e, hiramaki-e, cut-out gold foil application, and coral and ivory inlay

Culture

Japan

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. George A. Crocker (Elizabeth Masten), 1937