Stationery Box (ryōshibako) with Design of Squirrels among Grapevines

The squirrels-among-grapevines motif, which has appeared on paintings and decorative objects in China, Korea, and Japan since the 16th century, symbolizes fertility, as squirrels have large litters and grapes produce many seeds. The squirrels, grapes, and some leaves are inlaid with turban shell. The remaining leaves and tendrils are painted with gold foil in a technique known as hakue; delicate lines may be scratched through the foil or painted over with lacquer.

This stationery box was made in the Ryukyu Islands, an archipelago between Japan and Taiwan that was an independent kingdom from the 14th century until 1879, when it was annexed by Japan. The cover of the box has scalloped edges outlined in red lacquer and fits snugly over the box, which is raised above a projected perimeter footing with decorative reveals.