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This late 19th century Japanese ivory card case is decorated in gold lacquer hiramaki-e and takamaki-e. The whimsical scene depicts robe-wearing rats pulling a sled bearing bales of produce. But what does it mean?

One explanation is that in Japan, the rat is associated with prosperity, especially in the agricultural sector because of its success in securing food supplies. Thus the rat became the messenger of Daikokuten, a deity of grain and vegetation. Also one of Japan's Seven Gods of Good Fortune, Daikokuten is associated with prosperity when his attributes include bales of rice straw and a rat.

The case sold at Christie's in December 2004, well-exceeding its estimate of £400 to £600.