Mandarin Duck Cabinet

early 20th century

Most household goods were stored in the women’s quarters in large cabinets and chests. These were typically the largest and most costly pieces of furniture in the home, and were given to the couple at the time of their wedding. The taller piece shown here is known as a “mandarin duck” cabinet because of the paired openings at the base. Mandarin ducks mate for life, so they are emblematic of the number two and of happy marriages. The red lacquer of the smaller cabinet, with its elaborate inlay of mother-of-pearl, indicates that it was made for a female member of the royal family.