明十六世紀初 掐絲琺琅荷塘鴛鴦三足盤

Mandarin ducks, symbols of marital fidelity mating for life and dying if separated, often decorate wedding gifts. They are frequently depicted together with lotus flowers to symbolize a harmonious conjugal relationship. See a cloisonne enamel dish decorated with mandarin ducks of almost the same size, dated late 15th/early 16th century, in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum (MET), New York, accession number no 2011.111.