PAIR OF INCENSE BOXES - KÔGÔ in kinji lacquer, depicting a pair of oshidori, mandarin ducks, heads turned backwards, wings in high relief, plumage finely rendered in gold hiramaki-e, the interior in nashiji lacquer. With a wooden storage box. Japan, 19th century. A PAIR OF LACQUERED DUCK-SHAPED KÔGÔ BOXES, JAPAN, 19TH CENTURY. LONG. 14,4 CM (5 11/16 IN.) - 15,3 CM (6 IN.) PROVENANCE: Bonhams London, 17 May 2012, No. 132. NOTE Mandarin ducks, which always swim in pairs, symbolise attachment and marital fidelity. They were most likely part of a wedding trousseau.