Box with Design of Phoenixes and Lotus Blossoms, 17^th century
Ryukyuan
Lacquer with mother-of-pearl inlay
Founders Society Purchase with funds from an anonymous donor
1983.5

The close ties between the Ryukyu kingdom and the Ming dynasty of China are clearly reflected in the motifs of this exquisite mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquer box. A single phoenix symbolized the empress, good government, and happiness; when used in a pair, as on this box, phoenixes symbolized faithful love.

The marks on the interior - a fan-shaped symbol and the Chinese character tian (heaven) in an archaic script - may identify these pieces as belonging to the 17^th century Ryukyuan king and queen.

Fabric ties were attached to small rings on either side of the bottom section to secure the box and its contents. This box may have been a gift from the Ryukyuan monarchy to a Japanese lord or lady, since 17^th century Japanese nobility particularly fancied such Chinese-styled objects.