Animals, birds, insects, flowers, and plants are often used in Chinese decorative arts to convey auspicious wishes.
The pair of mandarin ducks, which are colourfully enamelled on the top of this box, symbolise happiness in marriage.
Cloisonne enamelling is a technique whereby the design is first outlined by threads of copper wire, forming different cells, or cloisons, which are to be filled in with enamels. The fired enamels will be polished until they are flush with the cloisons.
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