Anonymous

Late Edo/ Meiji period, 18th/19th century

1615-1912

Kogo

A highly fine Japanese lacquer kogo (incense box) depicting a male and female mandarin duck (oshidori) on a water's edge with flowering Japanese narcissus or sumire. Finished in beautiful gold and silver togidashi makie and gold hirame on a roiro ground.

Like much of Japanese culture and traditions the symbolism of mandarin ducks (oshidori) had been adopted from the Chinese. The imagery of mandarin ducks symbolized conjugal fidelity and joy. When written in calligraphy the characters read male mandarin and female mandarin duck signifying their pairing. Mandarin ducks have been used in the decorative arts since the Asuka period to the present. Often used in weddings to represent the pairing for life it is highly likely this kogo box would have been given as a wedding gift to represent the unity of the wedding couple.

Unsigned

125mm x 47mm