An octagonal lacquer box with mandarin ducks amongst maple leaves, signed by Katsuhiko Yashiki (born 1966)

Japan, circa 2000

Of octagonal form, this lacquer box is finely decorated with a pair of mandarin ducks turning their heads over their shoulders to gaze at one another amidst scattered maple leaves. Both the exterior of the body and the interior of the lid are finished in the roiro-nuri technique, producing a flawless, mirror-like gloss.

The decoration integrates traditional taka maki-e (high-relief lacquer) and hira maki-e (flat lacquer) with intricate inlays of mother-of-pearl (raden) and eggshell, heightened with applied kirikane (cut gold foil) to create remarkable depth and textural nuance. Contrasting details delineate the plumage, distinguishing the brightly coloured drake from the more muted hen.

Mandarin ducks (oshidori in Japanese, yuanyang in Chinese) serve as an enduring emblem of marital harmony, love, and lifelong devotion. Rooted in folklore holding that these birds mate for life and perish of grief if separated, they are traditionally depicted side by side to symbolise enduring companionship and domestic bliss.